Liverpool were controversially denied a penalty against Real Madrid in the Champions League after VAR advised a pitchside review of a Dominik Szoboszlai shot hitting Aurelien Tchouameni’s arm, leading to fan and pundit outrage despite UEFA’s explanation.
According to Express reporting, UEFA has issued a statement defending a highly contentious VAR decision that saw Liverpool controversially denied a penalty during their Champions League clash against Real Madrid at Anfield.
The incident occurred in the opening 45 minutes when Dominik Szoboszlai’s powerful long-range shot appeared to strike the arm of Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni, who was positioned near the edge of the box.
Match official Istvan Kovacs was initially directed to the pitchside monitor by VAR to review the play, leading the Anfield faithful to believe a spot-kick would be awarded.
However, Kovacs shocked the stadium by reversing his call to a free-kick, ruling that no handball offence had taken place whatsoever.
The official UEFA statement clarified the decision, which has been left intact: “VAR decision: no penalty. The ball touched the left arm of Real Madrid’s player No14, which was close to the body in a natural position.”
The ruling drew immediate outrage, particularly from former referee and Amazon Prime pundit Mark Clattenburg, who insisted the penalty should have stood. His comment, left intact, was:
“What the VAR has done, in his opinion, because the referee has given a handball – and I think it’s a handball by the way. I agree with the referee’s initial decision of handball.
Once it’s handball, the handball is inside the penalty area. What the referee is now saying is that it’s not a handball. He doesn’t believe the defender made his body bigger.”
Pundit Alan Shearer also weighed in on the complexity of the current regulations, adding: “They really have tied themselves in knots with this handball law, natural, unnatural, proximity.
It would have been a lot simpler to say is it a deliberate handball or not.” The controversy ensured the debate over VAR’s role in the sport remains highly charged.