Mark Clattenburg believes it would have been very harsh on Bukayo Saka to have conceded a penalty for a handball incident in the first half of the Champions League final.
Arsenal made a dream start to the final as Kai Havertz gave Mikel Arteta’s team the lead in the first six minutes of the match.
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However, there was a real scare for the Gunners as the ball bounced awkwardly and struck Saka on the arm inside the penalty area.
Paris Saint-Germain asked big questions of the referee; however, it was waved away, and Clattenburg has exclusively told Arsenal Insider that no penalty was the right call.
Exclusive: Mark Clattenburg pleased that the penalty shout against Bukayo Saka was not given
Despite the ball striking the arm of Bukayo Saka inside the penalty area, Mark Clattenburg was pleased that the penalty shout was not given.
The former Premier League official is adamant that it would have been ‘extremely harsh’ as the Arsenal attacker was just trying to clear the ball
Clattenburg told Arsenal Insider: “The ball does touch the arm of Bukayo Saka inside his own penalty area, but it would have been extremely harsh if this was awarded as he tries to play the ball with his leg before touching his chest and then onto his arm, which was close to the body.
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“We have seen so many controversial handballs given in this season’s competition, and this always creates doubt when the ball touches the arm or hand.
“I am pleased this one was not awarded, especially when a player is trying to play the ball with his body.”
Saka did a lot of defending in the first 45 minutes in the Champions League final, always trying to help out Cristhian Mosquera.
The duo did a brilliant job doubling up on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who struggled to really get into the game in the first-half.
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