Team GB held by Senegal

 TEAM GB were robbed of a flying start to the Olympics after being denied a cast-iron penalty.

Craig Bellamy was cynically hacked down by Saliou Ciss but the ref amazingly waved away the spot-kick appeals from Britain’s players.

Then, to rub salt in the wound, the African side grabbed an equaliser with just eight minutes to go.

Stuart Pearce’s Brits were fuming over Senegal’s rough tactics which left both Bellamy and Joe Allen crocked.

Ryan Giggs blasted: “There were a few naughty challenges there. All you want is a bit of protection.

“A few of our lads are probably struggling for Sunday now which is disappointing when you only have 18 players.

“I don’t know how many fouls their No 10 had but in a Premier League game he’d probably have been sent off three times.”

BBC pundit Alan Hansen could not believe Uzbekistan referee Ravshan Irmatov turned down the second-half penalty.

He said: “It was out-and-out assault. Bellamy was lucky to get up from that challenge. You cannot believe the ref didn’t pick it up.”

Bellamy put the hosts ahead in the 20th minute. But in a match that threatened to erupt, Senegal grabbed their 82nd-minute equaliser when Moussa Konate slid the ball home.

Pearce admitted: “Both Craig and Joe are concerns for Sunday.

“The physios will be working overtime on them.

“Did I think it was a foul on Craig? Yes! But it’s no good belly-aching about stuff like that.”

Team GB now have to get their Olympic bid back on track when they play the UAE next, before meeting Uruguay on Wednesday.