Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has had a lot to say about one recent Wrexham call.
The Posh and Wrexham have faced off three times this season, with Phil Parkinson’s men coming out on top on both occasions in League One.
However, Peterborough United beat the Red Dragons in the semi-final of the EFL Trophy after penalties and will now face Birmingham City in the final next month.
Cup success was not Wrexham’s main priority this term, however, with the focus instead on securing promotion to the Championship.
In their quest to do so, the Welsh outfit most recently lined out against Stockport County last weekend.
The two clubs have built quite the rivalry since the 2021/22 season, and their latest clash was another tense affair.
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Peterborough United chairman on Wrexham penalty vs Stockport
When all was said and done, Wrexham beat Stockport 1-0 after Jay Rodriguez netted a rebound from his missed penalty.
There was much controversy surrounding the penalty being awarded, and Peterborough United’s chairman has now had his say.
Stockport fans slammed James McClean, with the defender’s conversation with the linesman seemingly playing some role in Wrexham being awarded the penalty after the opposition player was adjudged to have handled the ball.
However, speaking on the Hard Truth: Inside the Football Industry Podcast this week, Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony believes it should not have been given, labelling it one of the worst decisions he’s seen in football for a long time.
He said: “I saw the Wrexham penalty, and this isn’t me having a go at Wrexham or whatever else. I mean, I want them promoted and out of our league.
“I thought you know that’s probably one of the worst things I’ve seen in football for a long time. I watched it, it’s not penalty the players pushed in the back and then the referee, he’s given a corner, you got a corner, get on with it.
“And then suddenly, I think it took 3-4 minutes, and then the linesman changed his mind
“It didn’t look good. So yeah that was yeah, but I don’t know what the —- was going on there. Stockport, that was a big promotion game.
“You can’t give a penalty for that. I’m sorry. I’m sorry you can’t. Like, if that went to VAR in the Premier League, forget the handball they would look at the push. Look at the push. He’s [McClean] pushed him as he’s trying to head it back across, you know what I mean, so it would be disallowed. There’s no way that would be given.”
Wrexham should have had another penalty vs Stockport
MacAnthony is probably correct in his assessment that if VAR was in place, McClean would have been adjudged to have pushed the Stockport player.
However, it is worth pointing out that Wrexham were not given a blatant penalty just minutes prior.
Sam Smith clearly had his arm dragged in the box, but for whatever reason, nothing was awarded.
It’s unlikely rivals would have made much of that incident, but have been quick to speak out on the McClean incident because it was actually awarded.