Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has shared that he is still shocked at a refereeing decision that went against Newcastle United in 2023, which cost them dearly.
Thankfully, the Magpies have gotten over it, but it was something that left fans absolutely distraught.
Recent success means that Newcastle United can now seek to avenge a decision that saw them effectively eliminated from the UEFA Champions League.
In November 2023, Eddie Howe took his wounded Newcastle side to the Parc des Princes to play PSG in the Champions League. The Magpies had to name academy prospects like Michael Ndiweni and James Huntley on the bench, a sign that they were struggling with injuries at the time.
Alexander Isak gave Newcastle the lead in Paris, and Nick Pope put in a spirited performance to keep his team in front. However, PSG were awarded a penalty after Tino Livramento was judged to have handled the ball inside the area.
Kylian Mbappe converted the penalty late on to rescue a valuable point in the Champions League group stages. Newcastle were outraged at the PSG penalty decision, and that anger was felt by the likes of Ally McCoist and Jermaine Jenas, who berated referee Szymon Marciniak.
Newcastle were knocked out of the Champions League in the next game, leaving many to wonder what would have happened if they had won in Paris. With the decision recognised as one of the worst in Champions League history, Mark Clattenburg has shared his view on the incident 18 months on.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Mark Clattenburg reveals shock at ‘poor’ Newcastle United penalty decision
Newcastle beat PSG 4-1 at St James’ Park a month prior in what was one of the club’s most historic wins at the time. It looked like the Magpies were headed for another historic win in the Champions League before a very controversial decision cost them a place in the knockout stages.
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Speaking exclusively to Geordie Boot Boys, Clattenburg has shared how he feels about the decision to award PSG the controversial penalty.
“In a match that had so much at stake for both Newcastle United and PSG back in November 2023 in the group stages of the Champions League, Tino Livramento was punished for a handball late in the match which was very controversial. Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty after an intervention by the VAR.
“This was a poor call by the match officials as Livramento’s arm was not outstretched or making his body bigger and the ball touched the hand that was close to the body from a cross from short distance.
“From my experience, I do understand that UEFA have a stricter line on handball than the Premier League but this did not meet the criteria of a handball and should not have been awarded. It was interesting some days later, the Polish VAR was stepped down from his duties for a match later in the week which is a sign that UEFA did not agree with the decision of the penalty.”
How Tino Livramento felt about the controversial PSG penalty call
With Newcastle back in the Champions League, and PSG one of the potential opponents, Newcastle have the opportunity to exact revenge after the “poor” VAR call.
One player who is set to be part of Howe’s squad for their Champions League return is Livramento, who was devastated at the decision.
Livramento said he laughed when PSG called for a penalty, but the smile was wiped off his face when VAR awarded PSG a penalty.
McCoist completely agreed with Livramento, saying the penalty was a “disgrace”.
Newcastle must now hope that they avoid any other decisions like that when they return to the Champions League next season.