PSG achieved the tie in the final minutes of the match against Newcastle, all thanks to a penalty that the main referee awarded to the visitors after observing the VAR. This decision caused a huge scandal and the referee who was responsible for working with the video assistant that night was suspended.
As was
PSG lost in the 24th minute: Alexander Isak scored. The locals could not equalize in either the first or the second half, so they were very close to losing and finishing this round in third place. The Parisians failed to convert their own chances, but it was also affected by the fact that Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope was truly a god, making save after save.
In the 95th minute the following happens: after a pass from Dembélé, the ball hit the chest and then bounced off the hand of Newcastle defender Valentino Livramento. PSG players immediately surrounded referee Szymon Marciniak, demanding that a penalty be awarded; Gonçalo Ramos was the most active player, so he immediately received a yellow card. The VAR began to check the episode, after which Marciniak was called to the monitor so that he could study the moment himself. The referee saw that the ball hit the elbow and signaled a penalty.
Mbappé went to shoot and hit it, although Pope was close to making the most important save of the evening.
Kylian Mbappé
Photo: Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The discussion about this penalty began immediately. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said there was no penalty: “I don’t think it was a penalty. These reps do not take into account the speed at which the ball is traveling. He first hit her in the chest. Even if he had hit the hand first, it still wouldn’t be a penalty because the ball was coming too close. When the ball hits first the chest and then the arm, which is low, it is not a penalty. I’m not allowed to summarize. Obviously, I can’t express my innermost thoughts because I’ll get in trouble. But until that moment the referee judged well.”
Kieran Trippier
newcastle defender
“I’m trying to enjoy football and I’m tired of discussing these issues. The decision is always made by the judge. He had the opportunity to go to the monitor, which he did. So he just doesn’t understand it. He must have seen the ball slide from his chest into Livramento’s hand. I’m here arguing these decisions, why can’t the referees do it? Why can’t the referee come out and explain why he awarded this penalty? All of our guys gave their all today. “Everyone saw that it was not a penalty.”
Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas was also unhappy: “What should Livramento have done with his hands? Wrap them around your back? I’m furious. The players gave everything and it was supposed to be one of those historic victories. “Newcastle was raided.”
Former Newcastle player Alan Shearer was not silent either: “What the hell, VAR? All players fought incredibly well. Because of a disgusting decision, everything went to hell. Well done Newcastle.
Michael Owen, who also played for Newcastle, also supported his former club: “My heart breaks for Newcastle.” What a good game. Never in a million years was it a shame. “We are further than ever from applying the handball rule consistently.”
ESPN refereeing expert Dale Johnson calls UEFA’s interpretation of the handball “ridiculous”: “There is absolutely no way this is a penalty in the Premier League. From the chest to the elbow with the arm in a normal position. Not above the head or in some inexplicable position of the body. And this is also advice from the VAR…”
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What happened after?
UEFA decided to suspend Tomasz Kwiatkowski, who was sitting on the VAR, from work, as he had to direct the match between Real Sociedad and Salzburg. The body said it is determined when it comes to refereeing errors and wants to avoid additional and unnecessary pressure. Kwiatkowski will be replaced as VAR by German referee Marco Fritz, who previously served as VAR referee in the Shakhtar – Antwerp match played in Hamburg.
Why was the VAR referee suspended?
According to the rules, video assistants intervene only when it is a clear and obvious error made by the referee on the field. The media reports that Čeferin supported Marciniak in his decision. But then it is not very clear why the VAR referee was suspended.
Who is right and who is wrong?
Referee Igor Fedotov responds.
“Let’s start with why Marciniak was called to watch the replay in the first place. We see that he arrived late to the episode and simply missed the moment when the ball hit his hand. Most likely they asked you, “What did you see?” But he couldn’t see anything. And then they say, “Come and see.” Here it is absolutely logical that they would call him if he said that he saw the moment, but for him this is not a hand, no one would have called him.
Marciniak watched the moment for quite some time. He was trying to figure out if the hand was turned to the side or if it was an automatic action when running. By all interpretations, this is a shame. The hand is placed to the side, it is in an unnatural position, in addition there was movement with this hand. The Newcastle player blocked the ball.
Why did they cause a scandal? Why did they remove the VAR referee, even though he was right according to all the recommendations? They write that Čeferin supported Marciniak. But he has nothing to do with it. “We need the opinion not of the head of UEFA, but of Rosetti, and I have not yet seen his comments.”
Now it won’t be easy for Newcastle to qualify from the group:
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