OGUN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Kelechi Iheanacho has voiced strong frustration over a VAR decision, alleging that the ruling directly influenced his team’s defeat.
The Nigerian striker argued that the controversial call was a decisive factor in the final outcome of the match.
Just five minutes into the second half, Iheanacho thought he had leveled the score with a brilliant finish. However, German referee Tobias Stieler disallowed the goal, ruling that the ball had struck Iheanacho’s arm in the build-up, though replays appeared to show it had actually hit his face.
READ ALSO: Iheanacho Shines Off the Bench, Makes Case for Starting Spot
“That was an awful decision from them. The ball didn’t hit my hand, it hit my face. It was an awful decision and it changed the game. We could have been back in it. The referee knows it wasn’t a handball. It changed the game, and hopefully they can sort that out,” Iheanacho fumed after the match.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was equally furious, confirming that the club has formally requested clarification from UEFA regarding the decision.
The disallowed goal carried extra weight, as it would have made Iheanacho the first Celtic player in three decades to score in his opening two European appearances. Instead, Celtic fell to defeat after Ricardo Horta’s early opener and a late strike from substitute Gabri Martínez sealed the win for Braga.
The defeat piles further pressure on Rodgers, with Celtic now scoring just once in their last three games and failing to find the net in five of their 12 fixtures this season.