Marco Motta Responds To His Suspicious Missing Penalty: Let People Assume

Marco Motta misses a penalty (Twitter/@liga1match)

JAKARTA - Marco Motta responded to a missed penalty kick when Persija Jakarta faced Barito Putera, Friday, November 5. The Italian footballer did not want to bother and chose to let people assume what was happening on the field.

"Everyone is free to manifest and express what they think, I accept without any problems." wrote Marco Motta on his Instagram account @marcomotta47.

Previously, it was known that in the match on week 11 of Liga 1 2021, Marco Motta was appointed to determine Persija Jakarta's victory. He advanced as a penalty taker in a 1-1 draw.

The penalty decision at the last minute began when Rico Simanjuntak was violated by Barito Putera goalkeeper Aditya Harlan in the penalty box in the 93rd minute. Unfortunately, the referee's decision was considered too long and made Barito Putera's players protest.

After almost five minutes of deciding, the referee finally awarded Persija a penalty which was taken by Marco Motta. However, Motta's execution failed because the ball actually soared.

Controversy also arose when Aditya Harlan, who was Barito Putera's goalkeeper, was annoyed and approached Marco Motta who failed to score. This moment then made speculation develop among supporters on social media.

Many thought Motta's penalty was strange, they assumed Marco Motta had deliberately omitted the penalty as a form of protest that the referee took the decision too long. But there are also those who suspect the practice of match-fixing.

FAILED PENALTY. Marco Motta misses penalty kick #BRILiga1 #BangkitBersama #DukungDariRumah pic.twitter.com/tZi27nTWHA

— BRI Liga 1 (@Liga1Match) November 5, 2021

However, Marco Motta himself admitted that he was disappointed and sad because he failed to make an advantage. He also claimed responsibility for the final result.

"I am a man and a professional and I am responsible up front, without fear and hiding," Motta said on his Instagram.

"I am very angry with myself but this certainly will not make me give up, quite the opposite. I feel sorry for my team-mates, and everyone who loves Persija very much," he added.

To prove his regret for that moment, Marco Motta promised to work even harder for Persija Jakarta.

"I know who I am and where I come from, in silence I will take the only path, work hard!"