Arsenal's Bukayo Saka escaped punishment for an apparent handball during the first half of the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. The incident occurred in the 16th minute, shortly after Kai Havertz had given the Gunners an early lead.
From a PSG corner, a bouncing ball struck Saka's chest before deflecting onto his right arm as he attempted to clear. German referee Daniel Siebert waved away PSG's penalty claims, a decision supported by TNT Sports' pundits but met with outrage on social media.
Former Arsenal players Jack Wilshere and Martin Keown, part of the half-time panel, both argued the contact was accidental. Keown said: 'No. I think the referee has got a fantastic view of this... I don't think so. Not in the spirit. He just throws an arm at it.' Wilshere added: 'You don't want to see them given. Not a penalty for me.'
Co-commentator Ally McCoist and Steven Gerrard also agreed it was not a penalty. McCoist stated: 'I think it's accidental. I don't think there's any advantage at all.' Gerrard concurred: 'Even from a biased Liverpudlian I don't think that's a pen. I don't want to see pens given for that.'
However, fans on social media were furious. @CFC_Dubois wrote: 'That's a blatant handball from Saka. They get away with EVERYTHING.' @AbsoluteBruno said: 'How tf isn't this a penalty?? Obvious handball from Saka.' Others echoed similar sentiments, calling it a 'clear' penalty.
There was also controversy in the build-up to Havertz's goal, where the ball struck Leandro Trossard's hand. It was deemed not a handball because Marquinhos had thumped the ball into Trossard's chest from close range.
