Manchester City's Champions League encounter with Napoli descended into VAR chaos on Wednesday night as officials made a stunning U-turn on a first-half penalty decision that left the Etihad Stadium in disbelief.
The dramatic incident unfolded in the 40th minute when referee Tobias Stieler initially pointed to the spot after City's Nathan Aké went down under pressure from Napoli's Giovanni Di Lorenzo. The stadium erupted as Napoli players surrounded the official in protest.
In a remarkable turn of events, the German official was instructed to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. After several minutes of tense deliberation, Stieler astonishingly reversed his decision, waving away the penalty claims to the visible relief of the Italian visitors.
The controversial moment proved pivotal in a match that saw both teams create numerous opportunities. Replays showed minimal contact between the players, supporting the eventual decision, though the lengthy delay and initial call sparked heated debate among commentators and fans alike.
Pep Guardiola's side ultimately secured their place in the knockout stages despite the VAR drama, but the incident has reignited discussions about the consistency and implementation of video technology in elite European competition.
This latest controversy adds to the growing catalogue of VAR incidents that continue to divide opinion across the football world, raising further questions about the technology's impact on the flow and spirit of the game at the highest level.
