Same incident, different call - Kaizer Chiefs denied a penalty?

Football is a global game governed by universal rules, what is considered a penalty today should be a penalty tomorrow but as we have seen time and again, consistency is never guaranteed.

Take last season’s UEFA Champions League clash between Aston Villa and Club Brugge. Villa controversially lost a group match after Tyrone Mings was penalised for handling the ball inside the box, moments after goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez had restarted play. The decision sparked debate across Europe.

Fast forward to 2025 at FNB Stadium, where a strikingly similar incident occurred. Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams played the ball to teammate Cupido, who then picked it up with his hands — just like Mings. Yet, this time, no penalty was awarded. Same situation, different outcome. 

So, the question remains: Should Kaizer Chiefs have been awarded a penalty?