VAR official removed after Newcastle penalty blunder as UCL groups go down to the wire

November 29 – The VAR official who awarded Paris St. Germain a controversial stoppage-time Champions League penalty against Newcastle on Tuesday night has been removed from duty by UEFA for another fixture tonight.

Tomasz Kwiatkowski of Poland has been stood down for Real Sociedad vs RB Salzburg after a handball ruling that robbed Newcastle of a vital win that could end up wrecking their participation, with qualification no longer in their hands.

Regarded as one of the world’s best referees, Szymon Marciniak took charge of last year’s World Cup final between Argentina and France. The Polish referee was also the man in the middle for June’s Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan.

Yet under pressure from PSG players he refused to stick with his original decision after being sent to the monitor by compatriot Kwiatkowski in the 98th and final minute after the ball inadvertently struck the arm of Tino Livramento after first hitting his chest.

It was nowhere near a “clear and obvious” refereeing error, however, and was roundly lambasted by media pundits, once again calling into question the efficacity of VAR.

Had Newcastle won in the French capital they would have had their Champions League destiny in their own hands, but now must beat AC Milan in their final group game and hope Dortmund get at least a point against PSG to progress to the knockout stages.

Speaking after the game, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said: “In my opinion it’s not the right decision, but you fear the worst when it goes to the monitor.

“The speed of it and the ricochet, slowed down, looks different. The ball hits Tino’s chest and then hits his arm, but it’s not an unnatural movement.

“It was a poor decision with so little time left, but there’s nothing we can do with it now.

“I have to control myself, that’s my job. It doesn’t do any good to lose control of what you think and say.”

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Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2023/11/29/var-official-removed-newcastle-penalty-blunder-ucl-groups-go-wire/

Author : Paul Nicholson

Publish date : 2023-11-29 16:18:11

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