Ex-Premier League referee says Arsenal were let down TWICE in Atletico Madrid draw

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on a night where more than one penalty decisions were debated

Mark Halsey believes Arsenal should have had a second penalty in their 1-1 draw away at Atletico Madrid after a late decision was overturned by VAR.

It was honours even between the Gunners and Atletico in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night but the visitors, whose earlier goal had come from the penalty spot, were initially awarded a second spot-kick in the 78th minute. Eberechi Eze was sent tumbling in the box, only for referee Danny Makkelie to reverse his decision after being urged to review the incident on a monitor.

But Halsey reckons Makkelie got it wrong - and also called out Diego Simeone for his behaviour on the touchline after the penalty was initially awarded.

“We’ve seen another controversial penalty given and then not given after VAR intervention," he told The Sun.

“Now for me, in real time, I thought it was a clear foul by Hanko on Eze. Yes, clumsy. Yes, there was contact. Referee Danny Makkelie gives it in real time and then VAR recommends review.

“Now was it a clear and obvious error by the match referee? In my opinion, no. Yes, there was contact. But it’s not a clear and obvious error, so why, once again has VAR got involved? Being too forensic, they should never have got involved.

“And I have to say I thought Simeone’s actions on the touchline were a disgrace. I just cannot believe that the fourth official did not act and get the referee over to deal with him.

“But once again we’ve seen another controversial incident. What a two days we’ve had in the Champions League Cup semi-finals. But for me, it’s a penalty and it should have stayed given.”

Atletico Madrid's goal also came via a penalty after Ben White was penalised for a handball in the area. And Halsey believes that was another call where Arsenal were hard done by.

“We’ve seen two big penalty incidents in the game between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal in the Champions League first leg semi-final in Madrid,” he added.

“We’ve seen another, in my opinion, dubious handball decision given after a VAR intervention where Ben White handles the ball, he’s off balance, he’s trying to block the shot, his arm’s in a natural position. So how can that be a deliberate handball?”