The Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid was full of controversy.
The Gunners took the lead just before the end of the first half. Viktor Gyokeres was fouled inside the box, won a penalty and converted it convincingly.
Then, after the break, Atleti won a penalty after Ben White was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box. Julian Alvarez converted his spot kick with similar conviction.
Jamie Carragher was absolutely furious with the awarding of that penalty.
You’re the referee: How many penalties actually should have been given during Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal?
Three appeals, two given, what was the right call? Tell us why in the comments.
Jamie Carragher calls for UEFA rule change after Ben White conceded a penalty during Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal
White had a poor game for Arsenal against Atletico Madrid, and the fact that he conceded the penalty made his performance look even worse.
However, it was a very harsh decision from the referee.
The Arsenal number four got his body in a position to block a shot. As he was going to ground, his arms were naturally on his side, trying to protect the fall.
The ball struck his shin and then deflected onto his arm, which led to huge appeals for a penalty. The referee did not award it on the pitch, but after VAR intervened, he pointed to the spot.
Carragher was raging with the decision and called it unfair.
He said on CBS Sports: “What’s he supposed to do? He has fallen down trying to block a shot. It’s winding me up! The thought of a Champions League final being decided on that…
“I’m not having it. It’s not right, it’s not fair. Don’t get me wrong, as soon as I saw the incident, I knew it was going to be a penalty. This is the Champions League way of doing it.
“But honestly, if we go to Budapest and someone wins the Champions League on one of these ridiculous handballs, it’s a stain on the Champions League.”
Thierry Henry then asked Carragher for a solution. He replied: “It’s just a bit of common sense. The first thing that would stop the two penalties we saw the last two nights, if something hits another part of your body and then hits your arm, it’s not a penalty!”
“So you would like that as a new law?” Henry asked. Carragher replied: “Yes!”
Who was your Man of the Match from Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal
Arsenal are right to be furious with the refereeing decisions against Atletico Madrid
Competing with Atletico Madrid in their own ground is hard enough, but when you have two huge refereeing decisions go against you, it becomes almost impossible to win.
Carragher is absolutely spot on with his assessment, but that’s not the only decision that went against Arsenal on Wednesday night.
Eberechi Eze was fouled inside the box late in the second half, and the referee pointed to the spot. However, VAR intervened and sent him to the monitor.
The official looked at the replay 13 times on the sidelines and then decided to change his decision.
That, however, was not the right decision, and Arteta was raging after the game. Can you blame him?
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