Valencia president furious at penalty award

VALENCIA club president Jaime Orti was still fuming yesterday at the last-gasp penalty decision that gave Real Madrid a 1-1 draw in a pivotal Primera Liga clash on Sunday night.

Valencia appeared on course for a win that would have knocked Real off the top of the table after defender Roberto Ayala headed home 15 minutes from time.

But three minutes into injury time referee Pedro Tristante Oliva awarded a penalty when Valencia’s Carlos Marchena and Real Madrid’s Raul tussled in the area. Midfielder Luis Figo converted the spot kick.

“I can’t believe they’ve done it again,” Orti blasted. “The same thing happens every year.

“If we are going to be treated like this we might as well stay at home. Everyone saw what happened and it is a sad day for Spanish football.”