Newcastle United are feeling a sense of 'justice' after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) who recommended the controversial penalty against them in their Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was stood down by UEFA. The late penalty decision, which resulted in a 1-1 draw, had sparked outrage among Newcastle fans and football pundits alike, who labeled it "ridiculous" and "disgraceful".
In the 94th minute of the match, with Newcastle leading 1-0, PSG's Ousmane Dembele crossed the ball, which struck Tino Livramento's chest before hitting his lower arm in the penalty area. Referee Szymon Marciniak initially waved play on, but after communication with the VAR, Tomasz Kwiatkowski, he was called to the screen and subsequently awarded a penalty. Kylian Mbappe converted the spot-kick, denying Newcastle a crucial away victory.
The decision was widely criticized, with many arguing that Livramento had no time to react and that his arm was not in an unnatural position. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe expressed his frustration, stating, "It wasn't the right decision in my opinion... 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".
Former Newcastle player Alan Shearer was even more scathing in his assessment, calling the decision "disgusting". Other prominent voices in football echoed these sentiments, with some suggesting that the VAR had insisted on a stricter interpretation of the handball law. Critics argued that VAR should only intervene when a "clear and obvious" error has been made, which they felt was not the case in this instance.
The decision to stand down the VAR has been seen by many as an acknowledgement of the error. While it doesn't change the result of the match, it offers some solace to Newcastle fans who felt their team was unjustly denied a significant victory. Some fans have expressed that while they appreciate the acknowledgement of the wrong decision, it ultimately "means sweet F all" as the result still stands. Others have joked that perhaps Newcastle could collect "wrong decision cards" to use in future matches.
The incident has reignited the debate surrounding the use of VAR in football, with many questioning its consistency and application. Some argue that VAR is too quick to overrule on-field decisions, while others believe that the technology is not being used effectively. There are calls for greater clarity and consistency in the interpretation of the laws, as well as for referees to have more autonomy in making decisions. Despite the controversy, Newcastle still have a chance to advance in the Champions League.
