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  "path": "/sport/football/arsenal-atletico-madrid-var-controversy",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-30T07:35:04.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "pic.twitter.com/S6H13YrKnl",
    "April 29, 2026",
    "Mikel Arteta blows top in interview after controversial VAR call in Arsenal's Atletico draw",
    "Jack Draper out of French Open as Briton posts 'gutting' statement",
    "Shaun Murphy explains tactical switch after beating reigning world champion Zhao Xintong in comeback win",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter",
    "@footballontnt"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nArsenal's Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid ended in a 1-1 stalemate, but the scoreline was overshadowed by two deeply contentious penalty decisions that left supporters and pundits incensed.\n\nThe Gunners found themselves on the receiving end of what many considered baffling officiating from referee Danny Makkelie during a tempestuous encounter in Madrid.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nViktor Gyokeres had given Mikel Arteta's side the lead from the penalty spot in the opening half after Dávid Hancko brought him down.\n\nHowever, Julian Alvarez restored parity for the hosts 10 minutes into the second period with a spot-kick of his own, awarded following a controversial handball ruling against Ben White.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nThe drama intensified when Arsenal were subsequently denied what appeared to be a clear penalty on Eberechi Eze.\n\nThe handball incident that led to Atletico's equaliser drew immediate comparisons to a near-identical decision in the previous day's PSG-Bayern Munich clash.\n\nWhite had charged towards the edge of the box to block a Marcos Llorente volley following Antoine Griezmann's corner delivery.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe ball struck the ground before deflecting off the defender's leg and onto his trailing arm, yet VAR intervened to award the spot-kick.\n\nFormer Premier League winger Yannick Bolasie was unequivocal in his assessment, posting: \"No chance that can ever be a pen.\"\n\nSupporters expressed their dismay across social media, with one declaring the handball regulations require \"a complete overhaul.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n> Handball against Ben White and Atletico Madrid have a penalty! 😮\n>\n> What do you make of that decision?\n>\n> Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/S6H13YrKnl\n>\n> — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 29, 2026\n\n### LATEST SPORTS NEWS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Mikel Arteta blows top in interview after controversial VAR call in Arsenal's Atletico draw\n  * Jack Draper out of French Open as Briton posts 'gutting' statement\n  * Shaun Murphy explains tactical switch after beating reigning world champion Zhao Xintong in comeback win\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAnother wrote: \"If that's handball then the game has gone.\"\n\nAlan Shearer had branded the similar PSG-Bayern ruling \"nonsense\" just 24 hours earlier.\n\nThe decision to overturn Arsenal's penalty sparked an even fiercer backlash.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nReferee Makkelie had initially pointed to the spot after Hancko appeared to clip Eze's ankle without making contact with the ball, but reversed his ruling following a VAR review.\n\nArsenal legend Ian Wright erupted on social media, posting angry emojis alongside the message: \"Knew he'd buckle! Home side gets that pen!\"\n\nSteven Gerrard described the reversal as \"very harsh\" on the visitors.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSteve McManaman directed criticism at Diego Simeone, labelling the Atletico manager's touchline conduct as \"atrocious\" and \"absolutely awful\" as he repeatedly pressured the match official.\n\nFurious supporters accused Makkelie of being \"spineless\" and suggested he had capitulated under pressure from the home crowd and Simeone's protestations.\n\nArteta made his frustration abundantly clear in his post-match remarks, stating: \"I don't understand it, I'm very, very upset.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Arsenal manager was particularly scathing about the overturned Eze decision, adding: \"The whole sequence is sorry, you cannot overturn that decision. At this level it's completely unacceptable.\"\n\nWhen asked whether the referee had been swayed by the hostile atmosphere, Arteta responded: \"I don't know.\n\n\"It's a wrong decision and changes the course of the tie.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Arsenal and Atletico Madrid controversy explained as Ian Wright fumes at VAR"
}