Arsenal’s Wednesday-night clash with Atletico Madrid was a game marred by VAR controversy.
Indeed, there were no fewer than three VAR checks during the game, two for penalties that were given, one for a penalty call that was overturned.
Ian Wright was fuming after Eberechi Eze’s penalty shout was overturned, but perhaps the most controversial call was Ben White’s handball.
We’ve seen some dodgy handballs given in the Champions League this season as UEFA seemingly have different guidelines to the Premier League on these incidents.
Interestingly, the BBC’s John Murray has now shared some insight into UEFA’s view of this rule.
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How UEFA feel about the handball rule
John Murray shared some expert insight on the BBC.
The commentator noted that he went to a UEFA referee briefing earlier this year, and during that meeting, it was made clear that the handball rule is being applied correctly.
“It’s interesting because I actually went to a referee’s briefing when we were at the Nations League for earlier this year, and Roberto Rossetti, who’s the head of referees, gave us a little, a part of that briefing was on handballs. And they are adamant that they are nailing it with handballs,” Murray said.
That level of confidence is striking given the reaction to decisions like the one Arsenal faced. Murray himself admitted he had doubts while watching examples presented during that same briefing, despite being told they were clear penalties.
“And they showed us a series of decisions, which I have to say, I’m sitting in the room thinking, I’m not sure about that. And he’s definitive saying that’s a handball, that’s a penalty. In Champions League, you wait for matches, that will be given as a penalty.”
This highlights a deeper problem that goes beyond one decision. The way handball is interpreted in European competition does not always align with how it is judged in domestic leagues, and that creates confusion for players, coaches and supporters alike. Arsenal’s players reacted in line with what they are used to in England, yet found themselves punished under a different standard.
UEFA may believe the rules are being applied correctly, but the lack of clarity across competitions is what continues to cause frustration. When similar incidents are judged differently depending on the tournament, it becomes difficult to accept decisions as consistent or fair.
Arsenal were on the wrong side of that difference against Atletico Madrid, and while Murray’s comments explain the reasoning behind it, they also underline why so many remain unconvinced by the current interpretation.
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