UEFA has released a statement to explain why Arsenal had a late penalty overturned in their Champions League semi-final first leg at Atletico Madrid.
Substitute Eberechi Eze initially earned a spot-kick after going down under a challenge from Atletico defender David Hancko after 78 minutes.
Despite contact being made with Eze's foot, the VAR intervened to recommend referee Danny Makkelie review the incident at his on-screen monitor.
After watching multiple replays, Makkelie decided to rule out the penalty-kick, a decision Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta slammed as "completely unacceptable", and the game finished 1-1 ahead of the second leg next Tuesday.
In a brief statement, UEFA explained the decision: "Atleti player, No 17, did not commit a foul on the opponent."
UEFA said upon introduction of the technology that "the VAR team will check all match-changing situations but only intervene for clear and obvious mistakes".
Beminru
15
I’m not a fan of Arsenal but there was a foul. If there was no foul then why was there not a caution for diving? The referee was intimidated by the crowd and didn’t want to influence the outcome of the game!!
Lion-El-MessiBarca
9
ATM is the luckiest team in ucl this year. two red cards for barca, penalty cancel against arsenal.
Jabacnostu
7
Why always the decision favored Atletico Madrid? How could they always got away with it. Against Barca all the calls are in their favor and now against Arsenal also. Justice is if Atletico's penalty is correct then Arsenal's second penalty is alao correct and should stand.