Why Arsenal have been denied penalty vs Real Madrid as handball determination defined
Arsenal were denied a penalty in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie with Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium after Raul Asencio appeared to block Declan Rice’s shot with his arm
Arsenal were denied a penalty against Real Madrid despite a clear handball by defender Raul Asencio.
The Gunners were hoping to find an early advantage in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie before the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
And in the opening minutes, Mikel Arteta’s side started quicker, with Gabriel Martinelli creating a good chance for Declan Rice on the quarter-hour mark. The England international’s shot was blocked by Asencio and eventually cleared.
However, referee Irfan Pelijo was asked to stop play as VAR checked for a possible penalty for Arsenal.
Replays showed that Rice’s left-footed volley struck the 22-year-old’s left arm close to Thibaut Courtois’ goal. VAR official, Bastian Dankert, reviewed the footage for a couple of minutes before allowing play to continue.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg agreed with the VAR’s call not to recommend an on-field review and give Arsenal a penalty.
Clattenburg, who joined Amazon Prime Video’s live coverage, helped clarify why VAR took multiple looks at the incident, as UEFA’s handball laws read differently to those of the Premier League.
“I’d be amazed if that’s given,” he commented. “The distance is very, very short. He isn’t putting his arm out to make himself bigger.
“What we have to remember is UEFA has a different criteria to the Premier League with handball. They are more strict on their punishment on the handball.
“Given that the hand is out-stretched, UEFA would try and give a penalty. But I don’t agree that this is a penalty kick.”
The game entered half-time goalless, with both sides having good chances to open the scoring. In the second-half, two stunning Rice free-kicks and a brilliantly taken finish from Mikel Merino saw Arsenal win 3-0.
