Arsenal were controversially denied what could have been a decisive penalty in their Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. The match ended in a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Metropolitano.
Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring for the visitors with a 44th-minute penalty after David Hancko had felled the Swede. Julian Alvarez levelled for the hosts after a handball was adjudged against Ben White.
In the 77th minute, referee Danny Desmond Makkelie initially pointed to the spot after Eberechi Eze went down under a challenge from Hancko. However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, with Eze deemed to have already been on his way down when minimal contact was made.
TNT Sports pundits criticised the decision. Ally McCoist said: 'If that happens in the other box, it gets given and stays given.' Martin Keown added: 'I don't think it was a clear and obvious [mistake]. The referee should be allowed to referee the game; VAR has got too involved.'
The second leg will take place at the Emirates Stadium next week.
