Arsenal were denied a second penalty during their 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg, according to former Premier League referee Mark Halsey. Halsey described the challenge from David Hancko on Eberechi Eze as 'clumsy' and argued that the original decision to award a spot-kick should have stood.
The Gunners were held at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night, with Viktor Gyokeres' 44th-minute penalty cancelled out by Julian Alvarez just before the hour mark. However, Arsenal felt they deserved another opportunity from 12 yards after Eze appeared to be brought down inside the box.
Eze hit the deck following contact from Hancko, and referee Danny Makkelie initially pointed to the spot, sparking fury from Atletico manager Diego Simeone and his players. But after a VAR review, Makkelie consulted his pitch-side monitor and reversed his original call, leaving Arsenal incensed.
Mikel Arteta criticised the decision in his post-match press conference, saying he was 'fuming.' TNT Sports pundits Steven Gerrard, Steve McManaman, and Martin Keown all agreed that the penalty should have stood.
Now, Halsey has weighed in, stating: 'We've seen another controversial penalty given and then not given after VAR intervention. For me, in real time, I thought it was a clear foul by Hancko on Eze. Yes, clumsy. Yes, there was contact. Referee Danny Makkelie gives it in real time and then VAR recommends review. 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 has VAR got involved? Being too forensic, they should never have got involved.'
Halsey also criticised Simeone's behaviour on the touchline, calling it 'a disgrace' and questioning why the fourth official did not act. 'I just cannot believe that the fourth official did not act and get the referee over to deal with him,' he added.
Arsenal host Atletico at the Emirates in the second leg next Tuesday, just three days after facing Fulham in the Premier League at the same ground.
