Declan Rice is at risk of being given a UEFA ban for comments he made after Arsenal's Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening.
The semi-final first leg clash between the two sides at the Wanda Metropolitano was full of controversy.
Arsenal were given a penalty on the stroke of half-time when Viktor Gyokeres was adjudged to have been fouled by David Hancko. The Swede brushed himself down and dispatched his spot-kick with aplomb to give his side the lead.
Atletico were given a penalty themselves 10 minutes after the break when Ben White was penalised for handball. Julian Alvarez made no mistake from the spot as he restored parity.
The referee pointed to the spot for the third time in the match when Eberechi Eze went down inside the box after another clumsy challenge from Hancko. Atletico were incensed and, after consultation with VAR, the referee controversially reversed his decision.
There were no further goals as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Declan Rice Could Be Banned For Second Leg
Declan Rice and Antoine Griezmann during Atletico vs Arsenal
The decision to overturn Arsenal's penalty in the second half was highly contentious. Many think the referee should have stood by his decision, including ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett and former Premier League referee Mark Halsey.
Steven Gerrard and Ally McCoist theorised that the penalty would not have been overturned if it was the home side being given the spot-kick.
McCoist said: "Can I make a little suggestion to the two of you? I think if that's in the other box, it's given, and it stays given." Gerrard then replied:
"Yeah, probably because of the reaction of the crowd and [Diego] Simeone. I think he played a big part. He's in the referee's eyesight when he's coming over [to the screen]."
That's a view shared by Rice, too. Speaking to Stan Sport after the match, the Englishman said: "UEFA, it's totally different. In both boxes, you have to be so careful. Because they give absolutely everything.
“Ebs’ one is a clear penalty. So I don’t know how that’s not been given. I think that the fans provoked the decision and changed the ref’s mind.”
The Sun have now claimed Rice could be sanctioned for questioning the integrity of the match officials, with a ban possible. They write that UEFA chiefs will now wait for the official’s report before they decide whether to act.
Mikel Arteta Slams Decision to Overturn Penalty
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta was also not happy at all with the decision to overturn their second half penalty. He said to TNT Sports 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," he said. "I'm very, very upset.
"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."
Despite the controversial decision, Arsenal are in a good position to reach the Champions League final and will go into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next week as the favourites.