Arsenal and Atletico Madrid ended in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on a night when multiple penalty decisions were debated.
For a moment, Arsenal thought they had won their second penalty of the match against Atletico Madrid (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Mark Halsey believes Arsenal should have been awarded a second penalty in their 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid after a late decision was overturned by VAR.
The Gunners were also honored in Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final first leg match between the Gunners and Atlético, who were awarded a second spot-kick in the 78th minute after their earlier goal came from the penalty spot. Eberechi Eze tumbled into the penalty area, but referee Danny McCarey was urged to check the situation on the monitor and the decision was overturned.
But Halsey believes McCarey made the wrong decision and blamed manager Diego Simeone for his actions on the touchline after the first penalty was awarded.
“We have also seen controversial penalties awarded and then not awarded after VAR intervention,” he told The Sun.
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“Now, in real time, I thought it was a clear foul by Hanko on Eze. Yes, it was clumsy. Yes, there was contact. Referee Danny McCarey made the decision in real time, and then VAR recommended a reconsideration.”
“So was it a clear mistake by the match referee? In my opinion, no. Yes, there was contact. But it wasn’t a clear and obvious mistake, so why did VAR get involved again? They should never have been involved, because it’s too forensic.”
“And I have to say Simeone’s actions on the touchline were disgraceful. I can’t believe the fourth official didn’t take action and bring the referee in to deal with him.”
“But once again something controversial happened. What a great two days in the Champions League Cup semi-final. But for me this was a penalty and it should have stayed.”
Eberechi Eze fell in the box in the second half (Image: AP)
Atlético Madrid’s goal also came from a penalty after Ben White was penalized for handball inside the area. And Halsey believes this was another game in which Arsenal struggled.
It added: “Two major penalty incidents occurred during the Champions League semi-final first leg match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal in Madrid.”
“In my opinion, we saw another questionable handball call made after VAR intervention where Ben White was handling the ball, off balance, trying to block a shot and his arm was in a natural position. So how could that be a deliberate handball?”
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