De Ketelaere: ‘Out of 100 people, none would call that a penalty’ | OneFootball

Atalanta star Charles De Ketelaere said the referee who awarded the controversial penalty to Club Brugge was ‘very arrogant’ and notes ‘out of 100 people, none would say that was a foul.’

What was meant to be an emotional return home to Bruges ended up being ruined by the stoppage-time call from Turkish referee Umut Meler, who felt Isak Hien’s arm across Gustaf Nilsson was enough for a winning penalty.

The tension therefore erupted at the final whistle of the 2-1 defeat in this Champions League play-off and De Ketelaere was incredulous when watching the footage back.

“It’s just ridiculous,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “If you ask 100 people, I think out of 100 none would say that was a foul.”

As the call was made by the referee, who was behind the action, and not the assistant referee with a better view of the situation, did he at least give an explanation to the Atalanta players?

“No, he was very arrogant and didn’t want to explain it to anyone.”

De Ketelaere return home to Bruges

epa11891391 Fans of Brugge show a banner in reference to Atalanta and former Clube Brugge player Charles De Ketelaere during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs 1st leg match between Club Brugge KV and Atalanta BC, in Bruges, Belgium, 12 February 2025. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS

It had been a rough start for Atalanta, who went behind to the early Ferran Jungtlà strike and cancelled it out through a looping Mario Pasalic header, but the penalty means they must win the second leg next Tuesday by two clear goals.

“The first half was very difficult, we lost the ball too easily and gifted them chances. We’ve got to improve for the second leg, but we can turn this around. I also know that I should’ve done better with the chance I had that was too close to the goalkeeper.”

De Ketelaere not only grew up in the Club Brugge youth academy, but was also born a couple of miles away from the stadium, so this really was a return home and he had many friends and relatives in the stands.

Once the atmosphere had calmed after the final whistle, he was given a standing ovation as he saluted the crowd.

“It was wonderful and I thank everyone for their warm reception, but it still hurts to lose like this and so unfairly.”