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.”
European football’s governing body declined to provide any further clarification about the decision-making process for the penalty overturn when approached by Sky Sports News.
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The Athletic’s David Ornstein was puzzled as to why Arsenal controversially had a second penalty overturned by VAR in their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
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”.
Arteta fumes over penalty decision
Arteta was fuming with the decision and said it left him feeling “very upset” when speaking to TNT Sports immediately after the game.
“After going back into the dressing room, speaking to the boys and watching the penalty incident, it’s extremely disappointing and annoying because it was against the rules and it changes the course of the tie,” he said.
“The whole sequence. There is clear contact. You make the decision, you cannot overturn that decision when you have to look at it 13 times. It’s completely unacceptable at this level.
“It’s the wrong decision.”
Asked in his post-match press conference if Arsenal would protest the decision to UEFA, Arteta said: “I leave that to the club to decide what’s the best thing to do. Now they’re not going to give us a penalty. That’s it. That’s gone.”
