Crossword Genius

In the Cup, such ties are really punishing! (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

penal

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'punishing' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for penal that I've seen before include "Punitive" , "Involving punishment as by the law" , "Deliberately unpleasant" , "Punishable by law" , "Involving legal punishment" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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