Mikel Arteta expressed fierce disappointment after the VAR intervention that nullified a penalty awarded to Eberechi Eze, describing the reversal as "completely unacceptable". The incident occurred during the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League semi‑final against Atletico Madrid, a match that ultimately ended in a 1‑1 stalemate and left the Gunners feeling short‑changed.
In the 78th minute, substitute Eze found himself in the penalty area and was brought down by Atletico defender David Hancko. The contact was clear, with both players' feet meeting, and it seemed to merit a spot‑kick that could have restored Arsenal's lead. However, VAR prompted referee Danny Makkelie to consult the video monitor.
After reviewing multiple angles, Makkelie withdrew his original decision and ruled that no foul had occurred, leaving the score unchanged as the match concluded. Arteta did not mince words in his post‑match interview with TNT Sports. He said, "After going back into the dressing room, speaking to the boys and watching the penalty incident, it's extremely disappointing and annoying because it was against the rules and it changes the course of the tie. I'm very, very upset." He added that the decision was "completely unacceptable at this level" and that the referee could not overturn a clear call after watching it thirteen times.
Midfield enforcer Declan Rice echoed his manager's frustration, insisting that the penalty should have been awarded without question. Rice suggested that the atmosphere in the stadium, with 70,000 Atletico supporters, may have influenced the referee’s change of mind, stating, "I think the fans provoked the decision and changed the ref's mind." He also highlighted the contrast between UEFA's approach and that of the Premier League, noting that the governing body tends to be more stringent in awarding penalties for handball and other infractions. UEFA issued a brief statement on its website, explaining that the Atletico player involved, number 17, did not commit a foul on the opponent.
The organization declined to elaborate further on the decision‑making process when contacted by Sky Sports News. UEFA's standard policy, as outlined in its VAR guidelines, is that the VAR team will intervene only in "clear and obvious" errors that could alter the outcome of a match.
When asked whether Arsenal would lodge a formal protest with UEFA, Arteta responded, "I leave that to the club to decide what's the best thing to do. Now they're not going to give us a penalty. That's it. That's gone." His focus shifted to the upcoming second leg at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal would have the chance to rectify the situation.
The match itself was marked by three penalty incidents. Arsenal took an early lead through a spot‑kick converted by Viktor Gyokeres after a foul on the striker by Hancko. Atletico equalised after the break when Julian Alvarez was awarded a penalty following a handball by Ben White, which VAR identified after the ball deflected off White's knee onto his hand. Arteta acknowledged that the handball rule in the Champions League differs from the Premier League, saying, "They have been consistent with that.
If you are going to give a penalty for this kind of thing you have to accept it." The controversy surrounding VAR decisions was not limited to the Arsenal‑Atletico tie. In the other semi‑final, UEFA faced criticism after Alphonso Davies was penalised for a handball in Paris Saint‑Germain's victory over Bayern Munich. Former England defender Jamie Carragher took to X (formerly Twitter) to demand clearer handball definitions, calling the inconsistent rulings a "stain on the competition." Despite the disappointment over the penalty reversal, Arteta praised his squad's overall performance in Madrid.
He highlighted the resilience and tactical discipline his players displayed over a nine‑and‑a‑half month campaign, noting that many of the world's top teams had crumbled under pressure while Arsenal remained composed. "We didn't get the result that we wanted, but the way we planned the game, we wanted to win it. At least it is in our hands, in front of our people," he said. He added that the team still has a realistic chance of reaching the final and will have the opportunity to fight for it in the second leg.
Looking ahead, Arsenal will aim to capitalize on the home advantage at the Emirates, hoping to secure a decisive win and overturn the frustration caused by the VAR decision. The incident has reignited the debate over the role of technology in football, the consistency of handball interpretations, and the influence of crowd pressure on officials. As the Champions League progresses, clubs, managers, and governing bodies will continue to scrutinise the balance between preserving the flow of the game and ensuring that clear errors are corrected, a balance that remains at the heart of the sport's ongoing evolution.