Kieran Trippier pulling down Raphinha in Newcastle United's Champions League game at the Camp Nou
Newcastle United were handed a late blow in the first half of their clash against Barcelona
Newcastle United have been handed a VAR verdict on the late penalty Kieran Trippier conceded in their clash against Barcelona. ended in disaster for side.
As a Catalan cross was sent to the back post, Trippier could be seen holding onto the arm of Barcelona forward Raphinha. The referee ignored Blaugrana protestations until the VAR studio told him to have a second look at the incident.
It was then he decided the Newcastle skipper had hauled down the ex-Leeds United man in the penalty area, before giving a spot-kick to the hosts. Members of the Newcastle bench, furious with the decision, were booked for protesting as the official looked at the VAR monitor.
However, TNT co-commentator Glen Hoddle believes it was the right decision. After seeing the incident, the ex-England manager said: "When it happened I thought 'has Trippier pulled him back, because he knows he's not goalside.
"He's held him back there, I think if you're looking at that on the screen you've got to say that he'd impeded him and he's stopped him from actually getting to the ball.
"You just hope he doesn't give him a red. I think he'll give the penalty, I think you can see clearly once he looks at this, unfortunately for Trippier but he's allowed him to get goal-side. It's the pass, the pass was exquisite, there's the ball, he's pulling him, he's holding.
Referee Francois Letexier did not need to look at the incident too many times to decide to give the penalty (Image: 2026 Getty Images)
"Sometimes you can hold for a split second and get away with it, but I think he's held onto him for perhaps too long, that's the danger, he's held and held and held and it's stopped him getting there."
Ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given agreed, saying: "It's frustrating. I think Trippier has got a hold of him. It's probably the right decision.
Yamal did just enough to put Barcelona 3-2 ahead at half time (Image: 2026 UEFA)
"But there was a moment in the first half when Elanga got held back as well, but they said 'No, don't look at the screen.' I think he [Trippier] did hold onto him for too long."
Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal stepped up and, only just, sent his penalty past Aaron Ramsdale and into the back of the net. The Magpies shot-stopper got the faintest of finger tips onto the Spaniard's effort, but there was too much power on it.
It proved to be a dramatic climax of a pulsating first half. Barcelona roared ahead in the opening minutes through Raphinha, before Anthony Elanga levelled ten minutes later.
It was not long until the Magpies were behind again as Marc Bernal finished off a set-piece to regain the lead, before Elanga scored a second goal to peg the Catalans back again.
Champions League - Newcastle