Arsenal were beaten 2-1 in Paris on Wednesday evening to see their hopes of reaching a first Champions League final since 2006 dashed - yet one call in the game left former England striker Alan Shearer livid
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Referee Felix Zwayer consults the pitchside VAR before awarding a penalty kick to Paris Saint-Germain after a handball by Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly during the UEFA Champions League semi final, second leg match at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France. Picture date: Wednesday May 7, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Arsenal. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire.
Controversy followed after referee Felix Zwayer awarded PSG a penalty in the second half
Alan Shearer has blasted the "pathetic" call to award Paris Saint-Germain a penalty in their Champions League semi-final victory over Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's side travelled to the Parc des Princes for the second leg on Wednesday evening, hoping to overturn the 1-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of the French outfit at the Emirates stadium a week earlier.
However, despite a fast start for the Gunners, PSG soon found themselves 1-0 up on the night, and 2-0 up on aggregate, thanks to a sublime strike from Fabian Ruiz.
Arsenal's Parisian adventure then went from bad to worse in the the second-half, as moments after referee Felix Zwayer turned down calls for a penalty after a challenge on Bukayo Saka, the French champions were awarded a penalty themselves.
The contentious decision came after Myles Lewis-Skelly was judged by VAR to have accidentally handled the ball following Achraf Hakimi's shot.
However, with no PSG players claiming the penalty, and Zwayer having to be called over to the pitch-side monitor after missing it in real time, the decision has now been slammed by Shearer on The Rest is Football podcast.
The former Newcastle United striker even claimed the referee looked "apologetic" when granting the penalty as he shrugged his shoulders at the players on the pitch while reversing his initial call. And Gary Lineker also aired his true feelings on the current state of VAR.
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 07: Referee Felix Zwayer gestures as he speaks to Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Parc des Princes on May 07, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 07: Referee Felix Zwayer gestures as he speaks to Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Parc des Princes on May 07, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
After Shearer asked his podcast colleague about the penalty, Lineker replied: "Oh, I mean, it was absurd. I mean, I really, I'm starting to really loathe VAR. I just don't think it's good for our game. It sucks the life out of it."
Shearer added: "I mean, when the referee went to the screen, even the commentators said they weren't sure what it was for and who it was going to be against.
"And it was like once he gave it, it was almost like he was apologetic to say, 'Well, I don't really have a choice here.' It's like there wasn't anyone, not one player, not anyone thought or saw that as a handball. It was just a pathetic decision.”
The controversial call was also slammed by TNT Sports commentators Martin Keown and Ally McCoist on the night. "Not a single player on the pitch appeals," Keown said while summarising the game.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Amazon Prime Video UEFA Champions League pundit Alan Shearer during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester City and Feyenoord at City of Manchester Stadium on November 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Alan Shearer has blasted the call to give PSG a penalty
"This is where VAR spoils it," he added. "It has been a fantastic contest but to finish the game and the tie in this way, it's ridiculous."
McCoist chimed in: "Look at Hakimi. He doesn’t even appeal for it, look for it, he’s not interested in it! Shambles."
While Vitinha's penalty was ultimately saved by David Raya, PSG eventually put the tie to bed after a mistake from Thomas Partey was capitalised on by Hakimi, who curled one into the far corner to make it 2-0 in Paris.
A consolation from Saka gave Arsenal a dose of late hope but the French side saw the game out, 3-1 on aggregate, to ensure it's Luis Enrqiue's side who advances to the final in Munich to take on Inter Milan on May 31.
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