FULL TIME: 1-2: UEFA takes immediate actions on match officials that officiated Arsenal game yesterday for Two wrong Var calls and also Eberechi Eze penalty incident – as UEFA releases official statement this morning
Steven Gerrard and Ally McCoist both shared the same ‘conspiracy theory’ behind why Arsenal’s late penalty call was overturned by the referee during their 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final. The two British pundits were on commentary duty for TNT Sports for the crucial first-leg tie on Wednesday night.
While it may not have produced the same goal fest as the other semi-final – which saw Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-4 win over Bayern Munich become one of the highest-scoring matches in the competition’s history – there were still three separate penalty incidents at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium to ensure drama was in high supply.
Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring from the penalty spot after being bundled over in the box, while Julian Alvarez smashed home from the same spot in the second half after a handball offence by Ben White, not too dissimilar to the one that caused uproar in Tuesday night’s affair.
There could have been a third penalty in the match after Eberechi Eze was tripped up in the box late on, but the pundits theorised why it was ultimately overturned once Daniele Makkelie was sent to the pitchside monitor.
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McCoist & Gerrard Theorise over Eze’s Overturned Penalty Call
Eberechi Eze
It was McCoist who first brought everyone’s attention to the idea that Diego Simeone’s actions on the sidelines, flapping his arms and pleading with assistant referees, that ultimately changed Makkiele’s mind. The former Rangers star pondered: “Can I make a little suggestion to the two of you? I think if that’s in the other box, it’s given, and it stays given.” Gerrard then replied (watch the incident below):
“Yeah, probably because of the reaction of the crowd and [Diego] Simeone. I think he played a big part. He’s in the referee’s eyesight when he’s coming over [to the screen].”
McCoist concluded his theory by remarking: “I’m telling you, if that’s in the other box, it stays a penalty.” Martin Keown also added after the full-time whistle that the “referee buckled under pressure”, believing it wasn’t a clear and obvious error that VAR should have intervened with.
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Elsewhere, Steve McManaman ripped into the refereeing and Simeone, dubbing the Atletico Madrid ringmaster’s actions as “disgusting”, though the whole panel all later agreed that he remains the master of the dark arts, and it’s all part of his performance.
Arsenal Can Feel Confident About Reaching Final
Mikel Arteta
Had you told Mikel Arteta and co. that they could take a 1-1 draw back to the Emirates Stadium for the second leg before this week began, they would have probably bitten your hand off for just that. For large parts of Wednesday night’s clash, the Gunners were in control of possession, in turn creating more chances.
They can now feel confident of making it to next month’s final at the Puskes Arena in Budapest, their first since 2006, as they aim to win their first-ever Champions League title.
