Arsenal handed Champions League increase with 4 Real Madrid stars ‘underneath investigation’

Arsenal have been handed a potential boost with four of Real Madrid’s stars under investigation by UEFA for their actions in their clash with Atletico Madrid

Arsenal have been handed a Champions League boost with four Real Madrid stars under investigation by UEFA.

Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Caballos are all facing a UEFA probe for their actions against Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16. Madrid advanced to the latter stages of the competition after a penalty shoot-out.

And an UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of “indecent conduct” by the quartet.

It is unknown, if found guilty, what the punishment will be.

The Gunners will clash with Real on April 8, with the 15-time European champions heading to London before the reverse trip to the Bernabeu the following week.

There was controversy during Real’s clash with Atleti in the last round. The two sides were inseparable after Vinicius Jr’s penalty blazed over the bar and into the stands in the game.

In the resulting shootout, Atleti scored all three of their first penalties. However, disaster struck when Julian Alvarez’s slipped during his run up, but his spot-kick still found the net.

However, upon a review, Alvarez saw his goal ruled out for an extraordinary double touch. Article 14.1 of the IFAB (International Football Association Board) laws of the game concerns penalties.

The rules state: “The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.” That is the same law that stops people scoring a rebound if their own penalty hits the post.

“The referee said when Julian got to the penalty spot he touched the ball with his standing foot, but the ball did not move,” Diego Simeone said.

“I’ve never seen a penalty where they’ve called the VAR, but well, they would have seen that he touched it. I want to believe they saw he touched it.

“Did you see him touching the ball twice? Please whoever was present in the stadium and saw him touching the ball twice, the ball moving, please come forward and raise your hand. I don’t see anybody with their hand raised so that’s all I have to say… next question.”