A.Madrid V Arsenal

Alot of controversy in this game it's fair to say. I do feel the first penalty is totally the correct decision. The second one is a clear UEFA handball so again the correct decision and I do wish whilst pundits may not agree with the UEFA interpretation of handball, they back the referee and say it's the right decision.

The most controversial decision by far for me was the Arsenal overturned penalty, I don't think it's a clear and obvious error to overturn but for me alot of people seems to be forgetting the ref had what seemed quite a long conversation before he was called over to the screen, the suggestion he was influenced by the crowd and Madrid's manager behaviour is absolutely ridiculous btw, he probably was so focused talking to the VAR and looking at replays he probs had little idea what was going on behind him. I do wonder if the ref was giving a detailed description why he gave the pen and the VAR was debating whether that matched the pictures. Maybe the ref said there was forceful contact on Eze whilst in reality it looks more of a glancing contact and looking at it myself I wonder if the VAR noticed Eze's left leg was dragging along the ground before and contact was made so possibly suggesting he was already going down?

I would love the day where we can hear the VAR audio for UEFA matches because I would love too see how they operate VAR differently.

I absolutely don't think it's a pen

I'm absolutely amazed it was overturned

First pen was very soft and a tangling of legs…

Second is a HB offence in UCL so fair enough…

Third was a dive. Minimal contact. Great to see dives not getting credit. Should have booked him too!

Paul_10 said:

Alot of controversy in this game it's fair to say. I do feel the first penalty is totally the correct decision. The second one is a clear UEFA handball so again the correct decision and I do wish whilst pundits may not agree with the UEFA interpretation of handball, they back the referee and say it's the right decision.

The most controversial decision by far for me was the Arsenal overturned penalty, I don't think it's a clear and obvious error to overturn but for me alot of people seems to be forgetting the ref had what seemed quite a long conversation before he was called over to the screen, the suggestion he was influenced by the crowd and Madrid's manager behaviour is absolutely ridiculous btw, he probably was so focused talking to the VAR and looking at replays he probs had little idea what was going on behind him. I do wonder if the ref was giving a detailed description why he gave the pen and the VAR was debating whether that matched the pictures. Maybe the ref said there was forceful contact on Eze whilst in reality it looks more of a glancing contact and looking at it myself I wonder if the VAR noticed Eze's left leg was dragging along the ground before and contact was made so possibly suggesting he was already going down?

I would love the day where we can hear the VAR audio for UEFA matches because I would love too see how they operate VAR differently.

Click to expand...

Is this all part of the VAR protocol?

Pembroke said:

Is this all part of the VAR protocol?

Click to expand...

Certainly not in the PL but like in Scotland, the threshold is clearly lower for intervention so it's one of those where instead of refs call, if what the ref describes don't match the pictures, a review will be called. I think the argument will be that sort of slight contact is not enough to give a pen(seeing as there is always a higher threshold when it comes to contact for a pen) and for the player to go down the way he does.

From what I remember seeing, I don't think Eze really complained to the ref after the overturn which may suggest he made the most of any contact.

Through red tinted glasses.

If an offence involves contact it is penalised by a direct free kick or penalty kick.

• Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed

I assume that’s why the referee awarded the penalty kick?

So for me it was a soft penalty but nonetheless didn’t warrant VAR intervention. The fact that the referee watched so many re- runs at the monitor clearly indicates it’s not a clear and obvious error surely?

What goes around comes around Arsenal were awarded a penalty in the previous round that perhaps shouldn’t have been given

It does go to highlight that VAR still requires development with regards to when it is right to intervene and when it is totally wrong to re-referee subjective decisions.

Long way from being sorted…..never mind the handball situation!

And it’s never going to be sorted. We are applying a subjective standard of C&O (how wrong is it) to a subjective decision in the first place. And really, for contact PKs there is kind of a third level of subjectivity, as we start saying we won’t give them for soft fouls.) this simplynisn’t a system that can generate full consistency. Sure, we will get rid of the egregious misses, but there will always be a lot of mush around the edges when we layer subjectivity. This play is a great example. Does anyone really doubt this is a foul at midfield? But tht becomes a C&O error in the Pa because of the higher standard now applied to PKs?

I don't like the handball penalty, but it is always getting given in UEFA games, pretty sure that wouldn't be given in the EPL. Don't really see much debate about the first Arsenal penalty, it was clumsy by the defender.

My view on the second Arsenal penalty is it was soft, but there was contact and I wouldn't say it was wrong. I was shocked that VAR got involved, it was about as subjective a decision as you are going to see and not something VAR should be going anywhere near. But once a review is recommended we all know there is no way a referee in a UEFA competition is sticking with his decision. Danny Makkelie (who incidentally looks unrecognisable with his hair brushed forwards instead of back) looked like he wasn't sure but ultimately caved into expectations.