---
title: "Koeman – Was a clear penalty"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2015/11/22/koeman-clear-penalty/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Emery"
section: "News"
published: "2015-11-22T18:06:38Z"
modified: "2015-11-23T17:36:55Z"
---

# Koeman – Was a clear penalty

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has [bemoaned](https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/14095542.Koeman_frustration_over_penalty_denial/?ref=rss) the decision by the referee yesterday not to award the Saints a penalty after a foul on Graziano Pelle.

Koeman’s men lost 1-0 to Stoke City with a 10th minute goal from Bojan being enough to hand the visitors all three points at St.Mary’s. Yet, in the second half, Pelle was clearly kicked over in the penalty area but Lee Mason didn’t award a penalty.

It was a stone wall penalty and the referee was in a good spot to see it, yet he and his linesman failed to spot the clear infringement. This would have given Saints a great chance to level the scores and could have been game changing.

![Bryn Lennon/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/11/498161864.jpg)

However, it was not given and Southampton went on to lose the match in the end. This ended an eight game unbeaten run in all competitions going into next week’s clash with Manchester City.

Koeman said this when speaking about the decision (or lack of).

> I don’t understand. From my distance to that situation it’s very clear.

> I don’t know why the referee from maybe five yards or something don’t whistle because it’s a clear penalty.