Fans of Arsenal’s rivals were left livid after two handball decisions – and a red card call – went in favour of the Gunners in the first-half of the Champions League final.
Arsenal got off to the perfect start against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, with Kai Havertz, selected ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, fired in from a tight angle to give his side the lead.
But some fans were left puzzled by the decision to let the goal stand, after the ball hit Leandro Trossard in the build-up.
The goal came about when PSG captain Marquinhos tried to clear the ball, but kicked it straight at Trossard. The ball bounced off the forward and into the path of Havertz, who would run towards goal and fire in.
Replays, however, showed that the ball cannoned off Trossard’s arm, yet the goal was still allowed to stand.
Fans of Arsenal’s rivals were left livid after two handball let-offs in the Champions League final – including an incident with Bukayo Saka
There were also questions over why Kai Havertz’s goal was allowed to stand after the ball hit Leandro Tossard’s hand in the build-up
‘Havertz goal should’ve been ruled out for handball by Trossard,’ one fan wrote on X. ‘We are witnessing corruption in real time.’
Another posted: ‘Goal: Havertz. Assist: Both Trossard’s arms. What a joke.’
A third posted: ‘Is that not a handball assist from Trossard?’
A second incident came just minutes later, when Bukayo Saka tried to clear a bouncing ball in his own penalty box.
With the ball dipping, England star Saka tried to volley the ball clear, but kicked thin air, with the ball bouncing up and hitting him in the hand. A number of PSG players appealed, but, again, the decision was not given.
Again, fans took to social media to make their feelings known.
‘I don’t know what the rules are on a game to game basis anymore in football,’ one wrote. ‘But in the Champions league this season from a consistency point of view – this has been called a penalty for handball.
‘Bukayo Saka is very lucky.’
Fans thought Cristhian Mosquera was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card
Other criticisms included: ‘It’s not even a question, he hits it TWICE,’ ‘It hit both his arms how can it not be,’ and ‘They will say that is his natural position, VAR is silent.’
It comes after it was revealed that Arsenal benefitted the most from refereeing errors in the Premier League this season, with it shown that the Gunners should have conceded three penalties and been given three red cards.
Seven refereeing mistakes went in their favour in total.
When asked on TNT Sports at half-time, Martin Keown said: ‘Nope. I think the referee has a fantastic view of it. We have seen penalties given in the Champions League for less than that this season, but it’s not in the spirit. He just throws his arm at it.’
Steven Gerrard added: ‘Even from a bias Liverpool point of view, I don’t think that’s a pen.’
In the second-half, PSG were awarded a penalty after Cristhian Mosquera tripped Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the box. Ousmane Dembele scored from the spot – but fans were left puzzled as to why Mosquera wasn’t shown a second yellow card.
‘That should be a second yellow card for Mosquera,’ one fan wrote on X. ‘Arsenal are getting away with all sorts of things today.’
Another posted: ‘Hahaha should be with 10 men but of course Mosquera gets away with blatant 2nd yellow.’
Mosquera was substituted for Jurrien Timber immediately after the goal.
