UEFA has released a statement explaining why Arsenal overturned a late penalty kick in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Atletico Madrid.
Substitute Ebereci Eze was awarded his first spot-kick in the 78th minute after being brought down by a counterattack from Atletico defender David Hanko.
Despite contact with Eze’s foot, VAR intervened and recommended referee Danny Makkelie review the incident on the screen monitor.
After watching multiple replays, Makeli decided to rule out the penalty, a decision Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta condemned as “completely unacceptable”, and the game ended 1–1 ahead of the second leg the following Tuesday.
David Hancko challenged Eberechi Eze but the initial penalty call was overturned.
UEFA explained the decision in a brief statement, saying “Atleti’s number 17 did not commit a foul on the opponent.”
UEFA refused to elaborate further on its decision-making process for overturning the penalty. Sky Sports News.
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David Ornstein of The Athletic wondered why Arsenal controversially had their second penalty overturned by VAR in their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid.
Regarding the introduction of the technology, UEFA said: “The VAR team will check for any situation that could change the match, but will only intervene if there is a clear and obvious mistake.”
Arteta is angry about penalty kick decision
Arteta was outraged by the decision and said he was “very angry” when speaking to TNT Sport shortly after the game.
“After going back to the dressing room, speaking to the boys and watching the penalty incident, it was very disappointing and frustrating because it was against the rules and it changed the course of the tie,” he said.
“It’s the whole order. The contact is clear. Once you make a decision you don’t have to see it 13 times to overturn that decision. It’s completely unacceptable at this level.
“It’s a bad decision.”
Asked in his post-match press conference whether Arsenal would protest UEFA’s decision, Arteta said: “I leave it to the club to decide. Now they won’t give us a penalty, that’s all. That’s gone.”
