"Ukraine win thanks to gift from referee" - Malta Football Federation

The report on yesterday's Euro 2024 qualifying match between Ukraine and Malta (1-0) published on the official website of the Malta Football Federation describes the Ukrainian national team's victory as a direct consequence of a "gift from the referee".

"Not for the first time on the international stage, the Maltese national team fell victim to controversial decisions by the referee, as Ukraine only managed to win thanks to a penalty goal - a gift from French referee Ruddy Bouquet.

It was the second penalty awarded to Malta in the second half. Two very questionable decisions. The first after VAR intervention, but unrealised by star player Yarmolenko. Otherwise it would have resulted in an undeserved advantage in the scoreline. And the second was awarded for non-existent contact between Jean Borg and the same Yarmolenko. It's a very controversial decision by the French referee. This time it was Tsygankov who took the penalty. The Girona player made no mistake from the 11-metre mark, which was decisive," the official website of the Malta Football Federation said.