Why Arsenal were not awarded a penalty in Champions League final loss to PSG | OneFootball

Noni Madueke took a tumble with Nuno Mendes inside the area deep into extra time

Arsenal saw huge penalty appeals turned down during extra time of their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Kai Havertz put the Gunners in the lead after just six minutes, firing high into the roof of the net from close range to stun the French giants.

It was then a case of PSG attack versus Arsenal defence, but the holders had to rely on an Ousmane Dembele penalty to level the scores, after Cristhian Mosquera has brought down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The scores remained 1-1 deep into extra time, and beyond Noni Madeuke's claims over a foul from Nuno Mendes.

Noni Madueke appeals for a foul

REUTERS

The pair tussled into the box and both fell to the floor, but referee Daniel Siebert immediately waved away the protests from Arsenal players and Mikel Arteta.

Rice chased the referee back up the pitch to earn himself a booking, before Arteta - lively usually but almost apoplectic on the touchline - was also shown a yellow card for his remonstrations.

The entire Arsenal bench were on their feet as PSG passed the ball amongst themselves, with every player and staff member seemingly waiting for Video Assistant Referee Bastian Dankert to tell the referee to review his decision.

Why Arsenal were not awarded a penalty in Champions League final

But it never came as VAR deemed the referee's on-field decision not worthy of intervention.

VAR will only intervene if it believes the referee has made a clear and obvious error.

Dankert, along with his assistant referee Robert Schröder and assistant referee support Carlos del Cerro Grande, seemingly agreed with the referee's decision of no foul.

Declan Rice earned a yellow card for his protests

Getty

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere added: "I’ve seen them given and if it was given I don’t think we would’ve said it wasn’t a penalty. And players know, Declan was fuming."

Former Premier League referee Graham Scott agreed with the decision, telling The Athletic: "There will be plenty of comments along the line of 'I’ve seen them given', and I doubt a VAR would have seen enough to overturn a penalty had one been awarded.

"But ultimately I would rather defend the referee for keeping out of this one than try to build a defence had he succumbed to pressure and pointed to the spot."