UEFA has issued a statement explaining why Arsenal’s late penalty was overturned in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
The Gunners were awarded a spot-kick in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Wanda Metropolitano after Eberechi Eze went down in the box following a challenge from David Hancko in the 78th minute.
Despite contact being made with Eze’s foot, referee Danny Makkelie was advised by VAR to review the incident at the on-screen monitor.
Following a lengthy review, Makkelie changed his decision and cancelled the penalty, with Mikel Arteta branding the call ‘unacceptable’ and ‘extremely disappointing’.
UEFA Issue Statement After Arsenal Controversy
Arsenal manager Mikel ArtetaAction Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
UEFA issued a brief statement following Arsenal’s late penalty controversy, explaining that Hancko’s challenge on Eze was not enough to warrant a spot-kick.
“Atleti player, No 17, did not commit a foul on the opponent.”
Arteta was furious with the decision and said it left him feeling ‘very upset’ when speaking to reporters after the game.
“After going back into the dressing room, speaking to the boys and watching the penalty incident, it's extremely disappointing and annoying because it was against the rules and it changes the course of the tie.
“The whole sequence. There is clear contact. You make the decision, you cannot overturn that decision when you have to look at it 13 times. It's completely unacceptable at this level.
“It's the wrong decision.”
Atletico manager Diego Simeone has also given his view on the two penalty incidents involving Arsenal, claiming neither was significant enough to warrant a spot-kick.
“I never give my opinion on my colleague's statement.
“In terms of their first penalty, in my humble opinion, the player feels contact on his back and he drops down.
“In the Champions League semi-finals, this cannot be a penalty, but the referee believed it was.
“The second one was not a penalty. Sometimes the VAR plays in your favour and sometimes it doesn't.”