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Premier League club Newcastle United had to settle for a heartbreaking 1-1 against Paris Saint Germain in their UEFA Champions League at the Parc des Princes after a controversial penalty in late extra-time. The Magpies were in pole position to clinch the fixture after Swedish forward Alexander Isak scored in the 36th minute with a clinical finish.
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But towards the end of the match, Parisians were awarded a pivotal penalty after Ousmane Dembele's cross deflected off Tino Livramento's chest before hitting his elbow. As the decision went to VAR check, referee Szymon Marciniak reviewed the footage and deemed that a penalty spot. must be given. Mbappe, stepping up to the spot, made no mistake to seal a 1-1 heist.
Newcastle coach Eddie Howe was extremely disappointed regarding the decision and pointed out the mistake in the post-match press conference. Newcastle fans would certainly be petrified with the call as a UEFA statement from last season about deflections and handballs has resurfaced which clearly denies the penalty.
The statement read: "In their guidelines for next season, the Board recommends that UEFA should clarify that no handball offence should be called on a player if the ball is previously deflected from his own body and, in particular, when the ball does not go toward the goal."
Coming back to Howe, the Magpies manager calling out the poor decision said: “It wasn’t the right decision in my opinion. There are so many things to take into account at that moment, the speed first."
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“It was a ricochet that when it is slowed down looks completely different to the live event. The ball hits his chest first, comes up and hits his hand. But his hand is not in an unnatural position, it is down by his side but he is in a running motion. I feel it is a poor decision and it’s hugely frustrating for us,” he continued.
