Arsenal saw Ben White penalised for a handball against Atletico Madrid
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher slammed the decision to award Atletico Madrid a penalty against Arsenal, branding it a ‘stain on the Champions League’.
Shortly before the hour mark, Diego Simeone’s side equalised after Julian Alvarez’s emphatic spot-kick. However, the decision was contentious after Ben White was penalised after the ball struck his hand as he attempted to block Marcos Llorente’s volley. The Gunners led through a first-half Viktor Gyokeres spot-kick after David Hancko barged the Sweden international to the ground.
Arsenal were largely comfortable in the opening exchanges of the semi-final first leg, as the hosts adopted a pragmatic approach against the Premier League leaders. However, the handball, awarded by Dutch referee Danny Makkelie, handed the Spanish side impetus and Alvarez’s effort levelled proceedings.
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Carragher, who was a part of CBS Sports’ coverage, tweeted: “The Champions League is the best football by a mile, but these penalty decisions for handball really are a stain on the competition. Last nights was worse but that should not be a penalty against White.”
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard and Ally McCoist agreed that Arsenal were unfortunate to have conceded a penalty against Atletico Madrid.
On TNT Sports’ commentary, Gerrard said: “I think when your arm is away from your body, even if you don’t mean it, at this level, in this competition, I think they’re given. I don’t think it’s a penalty in the Premier League, but there you go.”
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Co-commentator McCoist added: “Is there any contact off his left leg? I doubt it. I don’t think it. I really don’t like it. I’m not sure there’s no contact off his leg, you know.”
UEFA released an explanation regarding the decision to award the penalty after the Dutch official went to the monitor to overturn his decision of no penalty. It was deemed that White touched the ball with his left arm, which was away from his body and making it bigger.
They said: “Decision overturned: penalty awarded. Penalty – handball offence.
“Arsenal player, No4 (Ben White), touched the ball with his left arm which was away from the body and making his body bigger.”
Wednesday’s first leg was the final opportunity for Atletico Madrid to earn a win at home in the Champions League after a disappointing campaign in the league and cup.
The Spanish giants sit fourth in the league table and well out of the title race, while they squandered an opportunity at silverware as they slumped to defeat against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final.
The first leg, held at the Wanda Metropolitano, provided a chance to take an advantage over North London ahead of the second leg next week.
The encounter proved to be dominated by the referee as the TNT Sports pundits slammed his conduct and officiating during the Champions League semi-final first-leg.
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman launched a scathing assessment of Makkelie’s performance. He said: “Well we’re talking about VAR again. I mean I absolutely hate it, hate, hate, hate it. I thought the behaviour, I have to echo Martin, I thought the behaviour of Diego Simeone and his assitants when the referee was trying to come over to look at the monitor was atrocious.
“The constant haranguing of the fourth official, once he gives it and it’s contact it’s not a clear and obvious error. You shouldn’t go back and ref it again but I thought he had an awful game.”
On the pitch, Arsenal took the lead when Hancko brought down Gyokeres. He dusted himself down and fired beyond Jan Oblak as the power beat the host’s shot-stopper.
Gunners-linked striker Julian Alvarez was then gifted the chance to equalise shortly before the hour mark. White was penalised for the ball striking his left hand as he turned his back to block a well-worked free-kick from Diego Simeone’s side.
Alvarez made no mistake as he powered the spot-kick into the top left corner with Raya rooted to the spot. Atletico were in the ascendancy when Arsenal were handed the chance to stun the home crowd into silence. A cross into the box was met by the former Crystal Palace winger and he was brought down by Hancko.
However after much deliberation the Dutch official visited the monitor and denied Arsenal the chance to restore their lead from the penalty spot. It means that the tie will be level when Arsenal host next week.
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Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals where they face Atlético Madrid on April 29. Fans can watch the game on TNT Sports via HBO Max or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.
