UEFA has published an official explanation for the controversial overturning of Arsenal's late spot‑kick in the first leg of their Champions League semi‑final against Atletico Madrid. The incident unfolded in the 78th minute when Arsenal substitute Eberechi Eze appeared to be brought down by Atletico defender David Hancko inside the penalty area. Although the challenge made contact with Eze's foot, the video‑assistant referee (VAR) prompted referee Danny Makkelie to review the situation on the pitchside monitor.
After consulting several replays, Makkelie concluded that the penalty should not be awarded, a decision that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described as "completely unacceptable". The match ultimately ended 1‑1, setting up a decisive second leg for the following Tuesday. In a concise statement, UEFA defended the call, stating: "Atleti player, No 17, did not commit a foul on the opponent." The governing body declined to elaborate further when Sky Sports News sought additional details about the decision‑making process. UEFA also reiterated its policy on the use of VAR technology, noting that the VAR team will examine all match‑changing moments but will only intervene when a "clear and obvious" error is identified.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, speaking to Sky Sports News, offered his perspective on the controversy. He said, "If you look at one of the angles, it looks like Eze is clearly fouled; another angle is inconclusive. Rather than look at inconclusive angles, look at conclusive ones. The referee thinks it is a penalty on the field.
The VAR, I think, looks at it too much." Gallagher continued, "People asked me if it is enough to give a penalty. Once the referee gives the penalty, the question has to be 'is it enough to turn over?'. One angle shows the defender catching him on the top of the foot, and the defender definitely doesn't get the ball.
That is all in Eze's favour. Is it enough to turn over?
I think not. I don't think it is the most obvious penalty in the world, but once it is given, it is given. Once it is given, it has to be clear and obvious. There is not enough to overturn it." Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice echoed Arteta's frustration, insisting the spot‑kick should have stood and accusing the hostile Atletico crowd of influencing the referee.
"It's a clear penalty. I don't know how that's not been given. I think the fans provoked the decision and changed the ref's mind," Rice said. He added that UEFA's approach differs from the Premier League, noting that officials in both competitions must be "so careful because they give absolutely everything".
Arteta was visibly angry after the 1‑1 draw, describing the reversal as "extremely disappointing and annoying" in his post‑match interview with TNT Sports. He argued that the decision violated the rules and altered the trajectory of the tie, emphasizing that once a referee makes a call, it should not be overturned after 13 separate viewings. "It's completely unacceptable at this level.
It's the wrong decision," he asserted. When asked whether Arsenal would lodge a formal protest with UEFA, Arteta replied, "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." The match was notable for its penalty drama, featuring three spot‑kicks and becoming the first Champions League knockout fixture since 2001 in which every goal (when more than one was scored) originated from penalties.
Arsenal had taken the lead at halftime through a penalty converted by Viktor Gyökeres after another alleged foul by Hancko. Atletico equalised after the break when Julian Álvarez scored from the spot following a VAR‑reviewed handball involving Ben White, whose knee deflected a Marcos Llorente shot onto his hand. Arteta accepted that the handball interpretation in the Champions League differs from the Premier League, stating, "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 handball decision against White came amid another contentious call in the other semi‑final, where Alphonso Davies was penalised for a handball in PSG's win over Bayern Munich. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher took to X (formerly Twitter) to demand that UEFA clarify its handball definition, calling the penalty rulings a "stain on the competition". Overall, the incident highlights the ongoing debate over VAR's role, the standards for overturning referee decisions, and the consistency of handball interpretations across Europe's top tournaments. As both clubs prepare for the second leg, the controversy is likely to remain a talking point, with fans and analysts alike scrutinising every angle of the game and the governing bodies' guidelines.
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