UEFA have explained why Real Madrid saw their penalty cancelled in the first half of their Champions League tie with Arsenal. After losing the first leg 3-0 at the Emirates, the Spanish giants thought they had a chance to pull a goal back at the Bernabeu on Wednesday as Kylian Mbappe fell under Declan Rice‘s challenge.
Referee Francois Letexier initially gave a spot-kick to the anger of the Arsenal midfielder – who was booked in the aftermath. That booking would have seen Rice banned for the semi-finals.
But the decision was cancelled after a lengthy VAR check, a check that included both a potential offside and the foul being examined, with Rice’s booking eventually rescinded. UEFA quickly released a statement clarifying the decision.
It read: “No penalty – no foul. Arsenal’s player No. 41 [Rice] did not commit a foul on the opponent.”
A number of pundits shared their thoughts on the incident, with many agreeing with the decision to chalk the penalty off. Ally McCoist said on TNT Sports: “Does he give Mbappe a yellow card? I’m putting my cards on the table right now – I am delighted to see that decision.”
Ex-Arsenal defender Matt Upson, commenting on BBC Radio Five Live, added: “Declan Rice knew, his reaction told us all. He’s such an honest player. He couldn’t believe it, especially with the yellow card coming out and knowing he’s missing the semi-final.”
Theo Walcott also gave his thoughts. He said: “The referee has created this situation, where he gave that penalty to Real – it was the right decision to overturn it. Arsenal shouldn’t have had their penalty either by the way.”
The cancelled penalty was the second controversial incident during Wednesday’s quarter-final. Arsenal were awarded their own penalty after a VAR check.
What did you make of the decision to cancel Real Madrid’s penalty? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Bukayo Saka was the man to step up but failed to beat Thibaut Courtois. Despite that, Madrid players still crowded the referee to voice their complaints at the half-time whistle.
Arsenal only needed to avoid a defeat by three or more goals at the Bernabeu to progress to the semi-finals for the first time in nearly 20 years.
They already know their opponents should they get there, with a clash against French champions Paris Saint-Germain set to come. The Ligue 1 side progressed by Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Aston Villa following a dramatic decider in Birmingham on Tuesday evening.
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