Arsenal denied as VAR chaos hits PSG Champions League Showdown

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For PSG and Arsenal it's the biggest season-defining match on the calendar. The game sits finely poised; PSG have the edge but Arsenal are giving everything.

Saka goes down in the box and there are appeals for a penalty. The referee waves play on. PSG work the ball down the pitch and get a weak shot away that is easily saved by David Raya. Play continues.

And then the whistle blows and the referee indicates he is going to the monitor to check for a possible penalty. It's at 5:40 in the video below.


The commentators are confused. Is this for the earlier Saka incident? No. The over-zealous VAR team have spotted a possible handball. That PSG shot had brushed the hand of the outstretched Arsenal player, and despite it being in a natural position, the referee points to the spot.

Fortunately, David Raya saves the penalty and justice is done. Moments later PSG score anyway and the tie is effectively over. But this kind of thing shouldn't happen in any game, let alone one where the stakes are this high.

Let's instigate a simple rule. If nobody on the pitch appeals for a penalty, VAR cannot intervene and contrive to find one where none was apparent.

Secondly...referees...just because you are called to the monitor, doesn't mean you have to agree with VAR. You have a brain; you have eyes; there is such as thing as common sense.

This was as shocking a decision as it gets and (hopefully) is another nail in the coffin of the current utterly subjective and ill-applied handball law.

Related: How VAR is Breaking the Premier League

Related: David Raya's expert penalty save technique

Related: Will Semi-Automated Offside Tech Finally Fix VAR?

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