Controversy over back pass and penalty decision as Birmingham snatch late draw against Reading

Controversy over back pass and a penalty decision as Birmingham snatch a late draw against Reading in the League One opener this weekend.

Alfie May’s late penalty earned a point for the Blues after Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan’s opener, but some of the officials’ calls caused quite a stir on social media.

Reading thought they went ahead when Harvey Knibbs with the ball in the back of the net for the visitors after just five minutes, but the whistle blew for a foul on Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Then Ehibhatiomhan put the away side ahead just before the break. Reading thought they got their third after a breakaway chance in the 52nd minute, but the offside flag went up to deny Ehibhatiomhan his second.

Birmingham then were awarded a spot kick in the 86th minute for a Lewis Wing handball in the penalty area with May levelling the scoreline .

There was also a back pass incident, with Birmingham boss Chris Davies having his say on it, meanwhile Reading’s Ruben Selles gave his take on the penalty call…

In what world is this not a pass back btw?😂#BCFC #KRO pic.twitter.com/XuTIA5gEmr

— Benjamin 🥱 (@BNWLKNS) August 10, 2024

Any good lip readers about😭 pic.twitter.com/THTrlgUACb

— Mil (@milevans_) August 10, 2024

We’re trying to get hold of those involved

— Specsavers (@Specsavers) August 10, 2024

“It’s a back pass, there’s no doubt about it”

Chris Davies has his say on back pass incident. pic.twitter.com/B4UdldhNrw

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 10, 2024

“Sometimes you get these decisions”

Ruben Selles remains philosophical about Birmingham’s penalty. pic.twitter.com/kTtipehuEv

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 10, 2024

Birmingham City: Peacock-Farrell, Laird (Khela 82’), Sanderson, Bielek ©, May, Myoshi (Anderson 60’), Leonard (Jutkiewicz 82’), Seuag-Ho, Dembele (Hansson 45’), Willumsson (Harris 50’), Cochrane

Unused subs: Allsop, Klarer

Goals: May (86’)

Reading: Pereira, Dorsett (Abrefa 59’), Elliott (Savage 73’), Craig, Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan (Wareham 83’), Smith, Bindon, Mbengue, Camara (Garcia 73’), Wing ©

Unused subs: Boyce-Clarke, Kanu, Osho

Goals: Ehibhatiomhan (42’)

Yellows: Wing (22’)

“The most important thing is that we showed our identity”

El Jefe has his say following a credible draw away at Birmingham City on the opening day.#BIRREA | #ReadingFC pic.twitter.com/a7gDC6YevJ

— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) August 10, 2024

Speaking to BluesTV post-match, Chris Davies said: “I think when you get the ball into the final third, it is about making runs and some box action basically, making sure there are people in the right areas to finish and that the ball is being delivered there.

“It is something that we do work on but that we need to keep going with. Again it is a lot of players behind the ball, sometimes you can feel a sense that you turn down a cross and you play it backwards a little bit. For us we just need to build, quicken up and accelerate the game a little bit to really put them under pressure.”

On swapping Siriki Dembele for Emil Hansson: “I just thought he can give us good energy down the left-hand side. He has got quality in the final third as well, he is quite clever and generally ends up getting a cross in.

“I thought he justified that decision, gave us good energy and an outlet on the left and won the penalty for us with his cross that was handballed. It was good for him to taste the atmosphere and the Stadium properly on a competitive game, so, happy for him.”

Reading’s Ruben Selles on the performance: “We know that the result at the end of the game – not just this game but every game – can be because of a lot of things. It was important for us to come here today and be ourselves, show that we are a team, know the things we’re doing and the way we do it.

“Intense, good in possession and good against the ball. I think we made our game. Situations changed the game, and we didn’t get the three points, but I think we did a good performance. If we continue to do it consistently then we will win a lot of points.

“We did what we planned, the boys did a fantastic job. We could easily have gone home today with the three points. They didn’t have massive chances in the second half. I will take the performance of my team.

“I’m very proud of what they are doing and what they have been doing now for a year under the circumstances.

This is how fans reacted to controversy over the back pass and penalty decision as Birmingham snatch a late draw against Reading…

ON THE BACK PASS:

@TheLoyalRoyal71: In all fairness we got away with one there 😭

@RoyalStu1871: Welcome to league 1 refs.

@h_swfc: one of the worst decisions ive ever seen

@StAndews1875: They all said league 1 refs were shit but fuck me 🤦‍♂️😂

@dsaund6: I mean you got gifted a pen so it evens it out

@Jackmx98: Most embarrassing thing i’ve seen. EFL refs summed up in a video

@kaiserblue81: If the ref couldn’t see from his position surely the linesman could?!! 👓

@andy_cov93: A stinker from an EFL ref? Never 😵‍💫

@aidenwb02: That’s definitely a back pass!

@Sam_Anderson9: One of the worst decisions I’ve seen down the blues 🤣 the ref think he’s kicking it out for a corner for us or what? 🤣 shambles

@ianmckee58: Good to see the officiating hasn’t got any better

@eII10tt: sometimes you forget how bad the officiating is even below the championship wow

@BadeshaArmaan: That’s possibly one of the worst decisions I’ve seen. Wouldn’t even be allowed at sunday league level