Newcastle ‘robbed by VAR’ as ‘worst handball decision ever’ gifts PSG draw
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Alexander Isak's goal wasn't enough to snag Champions League history for Newcastle at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
The Swede was in the right place at the right place at the right time to poke home a first-half decider and fire the Premier League side up to second in Group F with only one game to play. However, a hugely controversial penalty decision saw Kylian Mbappe level after 98 minutes of frustration.
The Magpies were seconds away from one of the biggest results in their existence before a spot-kick was given against Tino Livramento in what seemed like very unfair circumstances. The full-back was in the box when a PSG cross zipped off his chest and onto his arm in unavoidable fashion.
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The decision underwent a brief VAR check before referee Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot without much delay. Both supporters and neutrals alike signalled their sympathy for Newcastle and Livramento, who appeared to be hard done by.
"Seen some absolute stinkers in recent months for handball but that has to be up there with the worst," wrote one critic on X (formerly Twitter). Another commented: "That handball is a joke."
Do you think PSG should have been awarded their penalty against Newcastle? Let us know in the comments section below.
Magpies legend Alan Shearer joined in the chorus of cries criticising the events that unfolded at the Parc des Princes in explicit fashion. "Do me a f*****g favour man," wrote the St. James' Park icon. "What a load of s***."
Shearer, 53, agreed with former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling when he replied: "Officials ruining the game Al. Makes me feel like stopping watching."
Newcastle were dealt an incredibly difficult hand after being sorted into this season's 'Group of Death' after a 20-year absence from the Champions League. And despite losing back-to-back meetings with leaders Borussia Dortmund – who beat AC Milan 3-1 on Tuesday to secure a top-two finish – the northeast outfit looked capable of pulling off an escape.
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PSG controlled almost three-quarters of the possession in Paris and more than five times the number of attempts on goal. However, that pressure shouldn't detract from the controversy surrounding Livramento's 'handball', which might not have been given in other circumstances.
UEFA's handball guidelines for this season indicate: "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 towards the goal."
That suggests the offence should never have been given, despite the clear pressure Newcastle were under at the time in Paris. A share of the spoils is enough to lift Newcastle to third in Group F above AC Milan, but the odds of advancing any further remain uncertain.
In short, Newcastle need to beat Milan at home on December 13 and must pray Dortmund defeat PSG in Germany on the same night. With two points separating them from the French powerhouse with only 90 minutes remaining in the group stages, only then can Howe & Co expect to take a spot in the next phase of the competition.
- Champions League
- Kylian Mbappe
- Newcastle United FC
- PSG FC
- Premier League
- Ligue 1
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