‘Newcastle was robbed’: Football world rages over ‘bad’ PSG penalty

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It was the 98th minute when Kylian Mbappé (24) scored from the penalty spot and PSG secured a point against Newcastle (1-1). But experts agree it should never have gotten to this point.

What was going on? Ousmane Dembélé (26) wants to pass the ball in the penalty area, but only hits the chest of Newcastle defender Tino Livramento (21). From there the ball hits the Englishman’s elbow, about 20 centimeters away. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak (42), who officiated the 2022 World Cup final, is sent to the VAR screen and then points to the spot.

“Newcastle has every right to feel robbed,” says former top referee Mark Clattenburg (48) in a guest article in the Daily Mail. Livramento does not significantly increase its body size; his arm moves naturally. “This penalty was against all UEFA guidelines and Newcastle paid the price.”

Bad luck for Newcastle: In the spring there was discussion about changing the handball rules, so that it should no longer be a punishable offense if the ball bounces off your own body onto your hand or arm. However, UEFA’s proposal for an independent advisory group was rejected by the European Football Association.

The decision has consequences for the VAR referee

Former England international Jermaine Jenas (40), who works as a TV pundit for TNT Sports, rates the scene in Paris as one of the “most outrageous decisions in a long time”. And how does Eddie Howe, coach of the Magpies, see that? “It’s a bad decision.” The 46-year-old complains that Marciniak has allowed himself to be softened by the PSG players. “It’s extremely frustrating, so close to the end.”

There are consequences for VAR referee Tomasz Kwiatkowski (45): the Pole would actually have been in the control room again on Wednesday during the match between Real Sociedad and Salzburg, but according to Sky the game has now been taken away from him.

Hummels teases Mbappé’s penalty

Let’s go to Milan, 400 miles away. There, Borussia Dortmund just defeated AC Milan 3-1 and secured a place in the round of 16. If Newcastle won, BVB would already have been declared group winner.

Accordingly, defender Mats Hummels comes to the interview with Amazon Prime and learns about Paris’ lucky penalty at the last second. “Was he justified this time?” the 34-year-old asks cynically. He is referring to the hand penalty imposed on PSG in the first group match against BVB, which already caused misunderstanding at the time.

Now a decision still needs to be made in PSG’s favor. Equally incomprehensible for Matthias Sammer (56), external advisor at BVB: “It is very Christmasy in Paris. That’s incredible.” (ch)

Source : Blick