Arsenal handed huge reprieve as Uefa release statement on why Real Madrid penalty was rescinded

DECLAN RICE escaped a controversial yellow card as Real Madrid saw a penalty chalked off following a five-minute VAR check.

And that means he will still be available for the semi-final with PSG.

Rice, 26, was the Gunners’ hero in the first leg with his two wonderful free-kicks.

But he was penalised midway through the first half of the second leg at the Bernabeu when he gave a penalty away.

Rice briefly held on to Kylian Mbappe at the back post – with the French striker hurling himself to the ground.

Referee Francois Letexier immediately pointed to the spot and brandished a yellow card to the English midfielder, who was utterly baffled by the decision.

However, after a lengthy stoppage to check both whether it was offside and if it was a foul, the ref was sent over to the pitchside monitor.

And eventually Letexier decided no foul had been committed – chalking off both the penalty and the yellow card.

Uefa then confirmed the call with a brief statement.

They said: “The penalty for Real Madrid has been taken away due to a non-foul by Declan Rice.”

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That proved a major reprieve for Rice, who went into the clash in Madrid knowing a yellow card would see him suspended for the first leg against PSG should Arsenal progress.

But that was not the only huge VAR penalty decision of the first half at the Bernabeu.

Earlier on, Raul Asencio dragged Mikel Merino down off the ball from a corner.

It was initially missed by everyone as play continued – but Letexier was then ordered to stop and watch the replay.

And much to the fury of the home crowd, he pointed to the spot.

However, Bukayo Saka stepped up and dinked his penalty – but saw it saved by Thibaut Courtois.

Saka broke the deadlock in the 65th minute with a beautiful chipped finish following a beautiful move.

But a clanger from William Saliba two minutes later teed up Vinicius Jr to reduce the deficit back to three goals.

Then Gabriel Martinelli wrapped up a historic 2-1 away win, with a cool-as-you-like injury-time strike.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk