Diego Simeone behaviour slammed as VAR’s decision to rule out Arsenal penalty causes storm

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Diego Simeone behaviour slammed as VAR's decision to rule out Arsenal penalty causes storm

Atletico Madrid were handed a second-half reprieve when Danny Makkelie overturned the decision to give an Arsenal penalty

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Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has been slammed for his conduct during the VAR check that saw Arsenal denied a penalty. UEFA have suggested that David Hancko didn't foul Ebere Eze after Arsenal's penalty was overturned.

The Atletico Madrid defender was initially adjudged to have fouled the Gunners winger but Danny Makkelie went against his initial decision after visiting the monitor. Makkelie was at the screen for 45 seconds and witnessed 13 replays before deciding there was no contact from the centre-back.

It was an incident-packed second-half in Madrid after the Dutch referee twice overturned his initial decision to Arsenal's detriment. The Premier League leaders saw their first-half lead cancelled out when Ben White was adjudged for handling the ball inside the box while trying to block Marcos Alonso's volley.

READ MORE: Arsenal get immediate penalty verdict as Atletico incident 'a stain on Champions League'READ MORE: Arsenal left red-faced as UEFA reject complaint against Atletico Madrid

Arsenal were handed the opportunity to restore their lead from 12 yards, following Viktor Gyokeres' opener from the spot, after Eze ghosted in front of the Atleitco defender and seemingly being tripped before going to ground.

However, in a post on the UEFA match-blog, an explanation was offered. It read: "Decision overturned: no penalty. Penalty cancelled – no foul. Atleti player, No17 (Hancko), did not commit a foul on the opponent."

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard highlighted the touchline antics from the Argentinian tactician. He said: "Simeone is crazy, slapping his players on the back of the head. Simeone, I think he played a big part. From a coaching point of view, his behaviour there, he was in the referees eyesight coming over."

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Speaking post-match, he continued: "I have to agree. I don't think it was clear enough or a obvious mistake from the referee. I'm surprised he got sent to the screen in the first place.

"When you actually look at the incident, it would have been a soft penalty. There was minimal contact, the defender is just trying to plant his leg but I think it's really harsh on Arsenal to overturn that because it's not clear and obvious."

TNT Sports main commentator Darren Fletcher claimed that the remonstrations from the Atleti manager would have been enough to influence an official.

He said: "It's not been a good night in the Champions League for these types of decisions. I just wish we could have got a wider shot of Simeone's antics while he was looking at the screen, he was literally five yards behind the screen, bellowing at the ref, waving at the ref. If there was ever a time to get a yellow card for trying to influence a referee it was then."

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Speaking post-match, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown said: "I simply don't think it was clear and obvious. The referee should be able to referee the game. VAR has got too involved. That's not what we wanted with VAR.

"It's not part of the protocol for me. Simeone though his actions at the sidelines, the drama he creates and the scenes around it, the referee in the end I felt buckled under the pressure, went to the screen and didn't stick with his decision. I don't think he should have even been made to go to the screen."

Arsenal were comfortable during the opening exchanges and took the lead when Hancko brought down Gyokeres. He dusted himself down and fired beyond Jan Oblak as the power beat the host's shot-stopper.

Former Manchester City forward and Gunners-linked striker Julian Alvarez was then gifted the chance to equalise shortly before the hour mark.

White was penalised for the ball striking his left hand as he turned his back to block a well-worked free-kick from Diego Simeone's side.

Alvarez made no mistake as he powered the spot-kick into the top left corner with Raya rooted to the spot.

Atletico were in the ascendancy when Arsenal were handed the chance to stun the home crowd into silence. A cross into the box was met by the former Crystal Palace winger and he was brought down by Hancko.

However after much deliberation the Dutch official visited the monitor and denied Arsenal the chance to restore their lead from the penalty spot. It means that the tie will be level when Arsenal host next week.

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