UEFA guideline proves PSG didn’t deserve penalty in Newcastle VAR horror show

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    Eddie Howe can afford to take a departure from his usually mild-mannered self after Newcastle were robbed of clinching a piece of club history on Tuesday.

    The Magpies were on course to record a 1-0 Champions League win away to Paris Saint-Germain, a result that would have reignited their hopes of reaching the competition's last 16. However, referee Szymon Marciniak gave PSG the lifeline they were seeking in the 98th minute after penalising full-back Tino Livramento, whose arm made contact with the ball in the box.

    And while that might sound like a straightforward decision, Marciniak seemingly failed to take into account the fact Ousmane Dembele's cross skipped off Livramento's chest before hitting his limb. And according to guidelines pushed by UEFA prior to this season, that should mean PSG were not awarded a spot-kick.

    READ MORE: Newcastle 'robbed by VAR' as 'worst handball decision ever' gifts PSG penalty and draw

    READ MORE: Fans say Pep Guardiola 'cursed' Manuel Akanji as star gifts Leipzig Champions League goal

    A UEFA board statement published in April 2023 read: "In their guidelines for the next season, the Board recommends that UEFA should clarify that no handball offence should be called on a player if the ball is previously deflected from his own body and, in particular, when the ball does not go towards the goal.

    It's more than likely to mean the end of Newcastle's Champions League journey after the club returned to Europe's top table for the first time in two decades. Howe's men now need PSG to lose at Borussia Dortmund on December 13 while they beat AC Milan at home to advance.

    Do you think PSG should have been awarded their penalty against Newcastle? Let us know in the comments section below.

    Both Howe and the Newcastle players were livid at full time, with Newcastle's coaching staff marching straight to official Marciniak to make their feelings known. And one can understand the frustration, given the ramifications of Tuesday's stalemate.

    “I don’t think that was a penalty," said Howe after Tuesday's European clash. "We know that when it hits a body part first and his hands are low, it's not a penalty.”

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    The late developments were particularly frustrating for Livramento, whose stellar run from deep helped set up Alexander Isak's opener. That remained the difference-maker for 74 minutes before controversy struck late on.

    PSG dominated possession and had the glut of attacking opportunities, which in turn resulted in a number of penalty appeals. But the Livramento incident should have reached the same conclusion as all others: with Marciniak turning down PSG's protests if the 'guidelines' were obeyed.

    Magpies icon Alan Shearer joined those criticising the controversy at the Parc des Princes and wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Do me a f*****g favour man. What a load of s***."

    Shearer, 53, then nodded in agreement with former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling, who railed: "Officials ruining the game Al. Makes me feel like stopping watching."

    Plenty took to social media and dubbed Marciniak's decision 'the worst handball decision' they'd seen, with officials continually criticised for the lack of consistent refereeing.

    • Newcastle United FC
    • Champions League
    • Premier League
    • PSG FC
    • Ligue 1
    • AC Milan FC
    • Borussia Dortmund FC

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