UEFA has released a statement to explain why Arsenal had a late penalty overturned in their Champions League semi-final first leg at Atletico Madrid.
Substitute Eberechi Eze initially earned a spot-kick after going down under a challenge from Atletico defender David Hancko after 78 minutes.
Despite contact being made with Eze’s foot, the VAR intervened to recommend referee Danny Makkelie review the incident at his on-screen monitor.
After watching multiple replays, Makkelie decided to rule out the penalty-kick, a decision Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta slammed as “completely unacceptable”, and the game finished 1-1 ahead of the second leg next Tuesday.
David Hancko challenges Eberechi Eze – but the initial penalty call was overturned
In a brief statement, UEFA explained the decision: “Atleti player, No 17, did not commit a foul on the opponent.”
UEFA said upon introduction of the technology that “the VAR team will check all match-changing situations but only intervene for clear and obvious mistakes”.
More to follow…
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