Jamie Carragher slams Arsenal penalty controversy – ‘stain on the competitors’
Jamie Carragher was left fuming as referee Danny Makkelie awarded Atletico Madrid a penalty against Arsenal after a VAR review of Ben White’s handball in their Champions League tie
Atletico Madrid were awarded a second-half penalty against Arsenal(Image: TNT Sports)
Jamie Carragher has slammed the decision to give Atletico Madrid a second-half penalty against Arsenal for handball, branding it a “stain on the competition”.
The Gunners were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in Spain following several VAR controversies. Just shy of the hour mark, Diego Simeone’s team drew level after Julian Alvarez’s thunderous spot-kick wiped out Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half opener.
However, the Gunners were left seething after referee Danny Makkelie chose to point to the spot following VAR’s recommendation to take another look at the incident.
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Marcos Llorente’s fierce drive seemed to catch Ben White’s arm, sparking vociferous protests from the Atletico squad. Makkelie initially waved play on, but after examining his pitch-side monitor more closely, the Dutchman reversed his decision and handed Atletico the chance to draw level from the penalty spot.
Responding to the ruling, it’s fair to say that former Liverpool centre-back Carragher took issue with the call and felt the Gunners were hard done by to concede a penalty.
Carragher posted on X: “The Champions League is the best football by a mile, but these penalty decisions for handball really are a stain on the competition. Last nights was worse but that should not be a penalty against White,” reports the Mirror.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard provided a contrasting view on the incident. He commented on TNT Sports: “I think when your arm is away from your body, even if you don’t mean it, at this level, in this competition, I think they’re given.
“I don’t think it’s a penalty in the Premier League but there you go.” Co-commentator McCoist added: “Is there any contact off his left leg? I doubt it. I don’t think it. I really don’t like it. I’m not sure there’s no contact off his leg, you know.”
Minutes after Atletico drew level from the spot, Makkelie granted Arsenal a penalty after he believed Eberechi Eze was brought down in the area by David Hancko.
Eze hit the deck after sensing contact from Hancko and Makkelie showed no doubt in pointing to the spot, much to the annoyance of Simeone and the Atletico squad.
However, following a VAR check and Makellie making his way to his pitch-side monitor, he chose to reverse his original call and ensured the Gunners couldn’t convert from 12 yards.
The match ultimately concluded 1-1 ahead of next week’s second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
