Arsenal saw Ben White penalised for a handball against Atletico Madrid
21:25, 29 Apr 2026Updated 21:28, 29 Apr 2026
Ben White of Arsenal is adjudged to have handled the ball after a shot from Marcos Llorente
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Ben White of Arsenal is adjudged to have handled the ball after a shot from Marcos Llorente(Image: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher slammed the decision to award Atletico Madrid a penalty against Arsenal.
Shortly before the hour mark, Diego Simeone's side equalised after Julian Alvarez's emphatic spot-kick. However, the decision was contentious after Ben White was penalised after the ball struck his hand as he attempted to block Marcos Llorente's volley. The Gunners led through a first-half Viktor Gyokeres spot-kick after David Hancko was penalised for a barge on the Sweden international.
Arsenal were, largely, comfortable in the opening exchanges in the semi-final first-leg as the hosts moved to take a pragmatic approach to facing the Premier League leaders. However, the handball, awarded by Dutch referee Danny Makkelie, handed the Spanish side impetus and Alvarez's effort levelled proceedings.
Carragher, who was apart of CBS Sports' coverage, tweeted: "The champions league is the best football by a mile, but these penalty decisions for handball really are a stain on the competition. Last nights was worse but that should not be a penalty against White."
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard and Ally McCoist agreed that Arsenal were unfortunate to have conceded a penalty against Atletico Madrid.
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On TNT Sports' commentary, Gerrard said: "I think when your arm is away from your body, even if you don't mean it, at this level, in this competition, I think they're given. I don't think it's a penalty in the Premier League but there you go."
Co-commentator McCoist added: "Is there any contact off his left leg? I doubt it. I don't think it. I really don't like it. I'm not sure there's no contact off his leg, you know."
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