Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has provided clarity on why Atletico Madrid were denied a penalty during their Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal. The incident occurred in the second half at the Emirates Stadium, where Riccardo Calafiori appeared to trip Antoine Griezmann inside the box.
VAR Review Overturns Initial Penalty Decision
The Italian defender made contact with the Frenchman's calf, prompting a VAR review. However, no penalty was awarded. Clattenburg, speaking on Amazon Prime, explained that the VAR officials first checked a foul by Atletico full-back Marc Pubill on Gabriel Magalhaes moments before Calafiori's challenge.
"I think what the VAR has looked at is Calafiori's challenge on Griezmann. He believes that's a penalty kick, and replays show it was, but there was a foul just before on Gabriel," Clattenburg said. "So they had to check the foul first and he agrees with the referee's analysis of a foul. Therefore, the foul outweighs the penalty kick."
Second Penalty Appeal Also Rejected
Earlier in the match, VAR also examined a possible Atletico spot-kick when Gabriel tangled with Giuliano Simeone. Former Premier League forward Alan Shearer commented that the contact did not warrant a penalty. Arsenal themselves had a penalty claim when Griezmann appeared to push Leandro Trossard, but referee Daniel Siebert and VAR saw no sufficient contact.
Arsenal Hold On to Reach Final
The Gunners protected their 1-0 lead, built from Bukayo Saka's first-half goal. Saka reacted quickly to Jan Oblak's parry from Viktor Gyokeres' low effort, slotting home the rebound. Arsenal will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest on May 30.
