Arsenal have qualified for the Champions League final. (Image: Getty)
Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate to reach the Champions League final for the second time in their history. However, this achievement has been somewhat overshadowed by a controversial referee’s decision. Mikel Arteta’s side were held to a 1-1 draw in last week’s first leg in Madrid, but the match was not without VAR controversy. The first half of the second leg was tense and nerve-wracking, with progress to the finals at stake.
Then, in the 44th minute, Bukayo Saka was the quickest to react and break the deadlock after Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak parried Leandro Trossard’s shot. Early in the second half, Antoine Griezmann controlled a rebound inside the box but appeared to be brought down by Riccardo Calafioli.
Supporters may have feared the worst, but VAR refused to award a penalty after Atlético’s Marc Pouville committed a foul on Gabriel shortly before Calafiori’s challenge. The ruling was heavily criticized in the Spanish press, as Arsenal won 1-0 and qualified for Budapest.
Calafioli’s challenge on Griezmann in the second half almost certainly would have resulted in an Atletico penalty were it not for the foul awarded against Pouvil in the build-up. Referee Daniel Siebert has faced the brunt of the criticism for the decision, with Spanish news outlet AS taking particular exception.
“For the Rojiblancos, tonight will be remembered above all for one name. His name was Daniel Siebert,” the report said. “(It was) a clear, blatant, undeniable foot stomp by Calafioli on the Frenchman.
“But the referee had previously whistled for a foul on Gabriel by Pouville, which by the way was not a foul. They jumped at the same time and the VAR room didn’t even show Gabriel on the monitor.”
“This tool was supposed to be there to avoid mistakes like this, the kind that always destroys Atlético’s hopes in the Champions League. Then I heard his whistle. Along with Siebert,[referee Mark]Clattenburg and[Simon]Marciniak, they are really crazy, vicious and dangerous.”
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Referee Daniel Seibert was the center of attention. (Image: Getty)
The incident was further condemned by Mundo Deportivo. The newspaper said: “After Poubil’s shot, the referee disallowed a clear foul by Calafioli on Griezmann.
“Replays clearly show that Pabil committed no foul, so a penalty should have been awarded. However, the VAR official chose not to overturn Sievert’s original decision.”
“In the first half, Calafioli had already committed a clear penalty against Giuliano (Simeone) in the 41st minute. The push sent him sprawling into the area. However, the play was ruled offside. Surprisingly, this offside was not reviewed by VAR.”
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Another news outlet, Sport, also expressed dissatisfaction with the referee, writing: “Football doesn’t owe anyone. It’s just a score that settles the score. You’re a debt collector.”
“There is no Champions League title left for Atlético. The memory of what could have been only haunts them. They exposed the inconsistency of referee Daniel Sievert, a referee known for his quick decisions.”
“He did not call a clear penalty for Calafiori’s foul on Griezmann after the alleged foul on Gabriel. The VAR official was German referee Bastian Dunkert, who witnessed Julián Álvarez’s double touch (the penalty mistake that cost Atletico to Real Madrid in last year’s Champions League).”
