Champions League news: Penalty controversy lingers as Atletico Madrid and Arsenal share spoils

In the second game of the Champions League semi-final first legs, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw at the Metropolitano on Wednesday night.

Both goals were penalties converted by Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez for their respective sides.

However, the story in the aftermath of the match was referee Danny Makkelie deeming Eberechi Eze to have been fouled by centre-back David Hancko in the box on the 78th-minute mark, before VAR stepped in, and he overturned his decision. 

Arteta: Penalty incident ‘extremely disappointing’

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta was fuming with the ref’s decision not to award a penalty in such a critical tie.

He told TNT Sports: “After going back into the dressing room, speaking to the boys and watching the penalty incident, it’s extremely disappointing and annoying because it was against the rules and it changes the course of the tie.

“I’m very, very upset.

“The whole sequence. There is clear contact. You make the decision, you cannot overturn that decision when you have to look at it 13 times. It’s completely unacceptable at this level.

“It’s the wrong decision,” he added.

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Addressing the decision with UEFA

Asked in his post-match press conference whether he’d take up the decision with UEFA, Arteta responded: “I leave that to the club to decide what’s the best thing to do.

“Now they’re not going to give us a penalty. That’s it. That’s gone.”

‘Handball calls consistent in the Champions League’ says Arteta

Arteta acknowledged that although handball calls for penalties are interpreted differently in the Premier League, the Champions League have been consistent with the way those incidents are judged.

“They have been consistent with that,” he said. “If you are going to give a penalty for this kind of thing you have to accept it.”

Although the first leg was a draw, Arsenal take the advantage back to the Emirates on Tuesday, May 5, where the North London faithful will come out in spades to energize their side.

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