Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has strongly criticized the referee’s decision to overturn the penalty originally awarded to his team, which he believes denied them victory in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
After reviewing the VAR, the referee Danny Makkelie reversed the decision on the penalty, which he awarded after Eberechi Eze appeared to have been fouled in the second half stepped on the opponent’s footso the match ended 1:1.
Arteta claims that the contact was obvious and points out that the fact that he is a referee watched the video several times before changing the decision, he confirms that the penalty should have stood.
I’m incredibly angry about how the penalty against Eze was disallowed. If you have to watch it 13 times… That’s a goal that can change the course of a season. This must not happensaid Arteta, reports HRT.hr.
“I’m extremely disappointed and annoyed because it was against the rules. I don’t understand it, and it changes the course of the tie. I’m very upset.” 😖
Mikel Arteta reacts after the controversial penalty decision.
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He added that he accepts the penalty awarded to Atletico after the ball bounced off Ben White’s leg and into his hand, although, he says, such a decision would not be made in the Premier League. Julian Alvarez then equalized in the 56th minute.
Just as we have to accept the penalty for Ben White, so this one against Eze is a clean penalty.
Arteta stressed that he was proud of his side who withstood the intense pressure in Madrid, but regretted that next Tuesday’s return would have been easier if the penalty decision had stood.
Everything is open in Londonhe concluded.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: Arsenal)
