BUKAYO SAKA had to be pushed away from the referee after he was denied a last-gasp penalty against Bayern Munich.
The Arsenal star found himself through on goal in the 96th minute of the Champions League quarter-final first leg clash.
With the score 2-2, Saka collided with Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s outstretched leg in the box.
The winger immediately fell to the floor – but referee Glenn Nyberg, clearly believing Saka initiated the contact, waved away the penalty claim to Arsenal’s fury.
After he blew the final whistle, Saka got back to his feet and confronted the ref.
The winger ran up to the Swedish official to complain and he pointed to his leg that made contact with Neuer.
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Gunners assistant boss Albert Stuivenberg was quickly on the scene and pushed Saka away, who then waved his arms around in frustration.
TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist said: “He genuinely feels it’s a penalty. I thought he definitely got there first, but I think there is an element of him throwing his right leg into him a little bit.”
Rio Ferdinand disagreed as he ranted: “That is a penalty. I can’t believe it. I’m in the stadium walking around in disbelief with my hands on my head. How has that not been given?”
The pundit added that he felt the referee should’ve been called over to the VAR monitor to double check his decision for himself.
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Martin Keown raged: “If you had ten top refs here tonight, nine of them would’ve given it. This referee would be the only one to not give it. I find it quite alarming.”
Arsenal fan and Sun columnist Piers Morgan fumed on Twitter: “That is a penalty. End.”
Surprised it wasn’t a penalty, says Halsey
By Mark Halsey
SOME will say that Bukayo Saka initiated the contact, but Manuel Neuer stuck out his leg.
I was surprised Glenn Nyberg did not award Arsenal a penalty in real time at the end.
Bayern Munich could have no complaints if it was given, they got away with one.
Munich were very lucky.
It is subjective, so maybe that is why VAR did not get involved.
Had it been given, the decision would not have changed.
But Gunners hero Ian Wright thought the ref made the right call, tweeting: “Not a pen for me. Work to do in Munich.”
Harry Kane shared his thoughts post-match, saying: “It’s 50/50. If he was on my team, I would have said it’s a penalty.”
On the decision, Mikel Arteta bluntly confirmed after the game that VAR looked and decided it was not a spot-kick.
Fans were left split over the controversy, with one saying: “It’s a disgrace.”
Another added: “I don’t care if Saka leaves his leg a bit you can literally see Neuer’s leg lunge.”
Others felt differently, saying: “This is 100 per cent not a penalty, there is zero intent to trip by Neuer and Saka is sticking his leg out.”
More reacted: “All things considered, Saka should probably have kicked the ball into the net instead of deciding to kick Neuer in the shins.”
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel was also left angry at the referee after his side were denied a penalty in the 67th minute.
Gabriel picked up the ball after David Raya took a goal-kick, seemingly thinking the game was not in play despite the whistle being blown.
On the handball, Tuchel said: “The referee made a huge mistake. I know it was a crazy situation. They put the ball down, he whistles and the defender takes the ball with his hands.
“What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He told our players it was a ‘kid’s mistake’ and he won’t give a penalty for that in a Champions League quarter-final.
“It’s a horrible, horrible explanation.
“Kid’s mistake, adult’s mistake, whatever – we feel angry because it was a huge decision against us.”
After seeing a replay of the incident Tuchel was talking about, Ferdinand added: “It’s a pen. Oh my gosh, how can that not be given?
“I was so adamant that the Saka one was… I’m even more for this, it’s unbelievable.
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“How can he blow the whistle like that and not give it?”
Why would he pick it up? It HAS to be a penalty, says Halsey
By Mark Halsey
Arsenal could have absolutely no complaints if a penalty was awarded to Bayern Munich.
The referee signalled for David Raya to take the goal kick.
He did… and Gabriel picked the ball up. Why would he do that? The whistle had been blown.
The only person who has made a mistake is Gabriel. Why would he pick the ball up?
Once the referee has blown his whistle and Gabriel has picked it up, he has to give a penalty.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
