Once more, the decision-making process of the Video Assistant Referee has faced criticism, this time following the UEFA Champions League match between Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Newcastle looked to be on its way to a famous 1-0 win that would have given them control of their last‑16 destiny before their final group stage tie at home against AC Milan.
In the dying moments of the game, full-back Tino Livramento was penalized for a handball when an Ousmane Dembélé cross struck him on the side, and the ball subsequently rebounded off his arm into the goal.
Following Kylian Mbappé’s successful conversion of the late penalty, there was a collective outcry from the pundits covering the game. Jermaine Jenas expressed his discontent, labeling it “one of the most disgraceful decisions I’ve seen in a long, long time – not in any walk of life is that a penalty.” Ally McCoist concurred, asserting that Newcastle had been unjustly robbed.
Post-match, Eddie Howe was visibly unable to conceal his disappointment and sense of injustice.
It wasn’t the right decision in my opinion. There are so many things to take into account at that moment, the speed first.
“It was a ricochet that when it is slowed down looks completely different to the live event. The ball hits his chest first, comes up and hits his hand. But his hand is not in an unnatural position, it is down by his side but he is in a running motion. I feel it is a poor decision and it’s hugely frustrating for us.
