The injury time VAR decision that saved PSG from a UEFA Champions League defeat, following the award of a injury-time penalty has been labelled a “disgrace” and a “robbery” by pundits.
Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager, said he felt a huge sense of injustice that the “wrong decision” had been reached and that “extreme pressure” was put on referee Szymon Marciniak.
The incident occurred as Newcastle were holding on to their one-goal lead in injury time despite a second-half barrage from the French champions.
Marciniak had initially waved away appeals after Ousmane Dembélé’s cross had hit Tino Livramento’s chest before striking his elbow, only to award the penalty after being advised to review his decision by the video assistant referee.
Kylian Mbappé scored from the spot to cancel out Alexander Isak’s opener and secure a 1-1 draw that means Newcastle must beat AC Milan and hope the French side fail to win against Borussia Dortmund in the final round of matches to secure qualification for the Champions League last 16.
It was clearly stated that, such controversial decision would not have been awarded in the Premier League, with Uefa having stricter rules on whether handballs should be given if the ball bounces off a player’s body first.
Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager, said he felt a huge sense of injustice that the “wrong decision” had been reached and that “extreme pressure” was put on referee Szymon Marciniak.
The incident occurred as Newcastle were holding on to their one-goal lead in injury time despite a second-half barrage from the French champions.
Marciniak had initially waved away appeals after Ousmane Dembélé’s cross had hit Tino Livramento’s chest before striking his elbow, only to award the penalty after being advised to review his decision by the video assistant referee.
Kylian Mbappé scored from the spot to cancel out Alexander Isak’s opener and secure a 1-1 draw that means Newcastle must beat AC Milan and hope the French side fail to win against Borussia Dortmund in the final round of matches to secure qualification for the Champions League last 16.
The penalty would not have been awarded in the Premier League, with UEFA having stricter rules on whether handballs should be given if the ball bounces off a player’s body first.
Newcastle manager, Howe, had insisted that with such decision allowed by UEFA, a he felt a huge sense of injustice, when he said, “It wasn’t the right decision in my opinion. There are so many things to take into account at that moment, the speed first. It was a ricochet that when it is slowed down looks completely different to the live event.
“The ball hits his chest first, comes up and hits his hand. But his hand is not in an unnatural position, they [his arms] are down by his side but he is in a running motion.
“I feel it is a poor decision and it’s hugely frustrating for us as you know how little time there is left in the game. There is nothing we can do about it now.”
Howe added, “Yes, of course (it’s a struggle to control my anger). But I have to control myself, that is my job and it doesn’t do any good to lose control of your emotions when I speak.
I’m just devastated for the players; the way they performed in very difficult circumstances and what that decision does to the group. Our destiny is not in our own hands now and that is tough to take after being in that position.
“I am still coming to terms with it. I feel really flat, but at the same time pleased with the players.
“The squad is very thin, we deserved a win. Our luck ran out at the end. The pressure put on the referee by the crowd was extreme.
“Not a chance,” one senior figure in top-tier officiating responded when asked by Telegraph Sport. “And some English fans think it’s better everywhere else…”
The law states that a handball should be given if a player “deliberately touches the ball with their hand or arm … for example, moving their hand or arm towards the ball” and mentions making the body “unnaturally bigger.”
UEFA historically instructed its referees to be stricter than the Premier League in administering that guidance, with players often previously punished in European competition when the ball hits the arm after deflecting off the body.
Lawmakers in England had initially used the same tougher rules three years ago, but they were quickly dropped after players and managers complained.
Analysing the late penalty on Tuesday, a source with knowledge of Premier League officiating explained why it would not have been given in England. “Arm position is key – it’s natural,” the source said. “Off the chest and onto elbow. Not above the head or unexplainable by body position. Also, deflection doesn’t mean absolutely not a penalty generally. Again, it comes down to the arm position. The Premier League adopts a different interpretation to other leagues.”
This season, UEFA was also supposed to relent on its previously harsh handball approach. In April, as the UEFA Football Board held its inaugural meeting in Nyon, Switzerland, there was agreement that the “same unified approach … should be applied in domestic competitions across Europe”.
The group also recommended that “UEFA should clarify that no handball offence should be called on a player if the ball is previously deflected from his own body and, in particular, when the ball does not go towards the goal.”
However, that recommendation by UEFA appears to have been forgotten by Marciniak and Var Tomasz Kwiatkowski.
In a clear sign Uefa believes the officials were mistaken, a new official will take over Kwiatkowski’s duties for Real Sociedad vs RB Salzburg.
Marciniak will face no action, however, as he was already due to be absent from the next round of matches because of the Club World Cup.
UEFA has a policy of not discussing incidents on the field of play but a source with understanding of the governing body’s position later maintained the referee and Var had made a mistake rather than following the wrong guidance.
