The VAR who awarded PSG’s controversial penalty against Newcastle ‘has been REMOVED from the same role for Champions League fixtures tonight’
- PSG were awarded a controversial penalty in extra time against Newcastle
- The VAR from that match has been relieved of his duties for Wednesday’s matches
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The VAR who awarded PSG’s controversial extra-time penalty against Newcastle has been relieved of his duties for another Champions League match on Wednesday, according to reports.
On Tuesday, Kylian Mbappe converted a hugely controversial penalty in the 98th minute after Newcastle defender Tino Livramento was assessed by VAR as having handled the ball while blocking a cross.
Polish VAR Tomasz Kwiatkowski sent referee Szymon Marciniak to the monitor in extra time, before the referee opted to award the hosts a penalty.
However, Kwiatkowski was expected to take on the VAR role in Real Sociedad’s clash with RB Salzburg this evening. ESPNit has been removed.
A host of pundits and fans were left outraged and dismayed by the awarding of a controversial late penalty to PSG as they denied Eddie Howe’s side a famous away win in the Champions League.
Polish VAR Tomasz Kwiatkowski has been sacked for Wednesday evening’s Champions League matches
PSG were given an injury time penalty after the ball hit Tino Livramento on the elbow
Newcastle were minutes away from a 1-0 win in the French capital after Alexander Isak’s first-half goal, which would have moved Howe’s side into second place.
However, the hosts were given the chance to draw level from the spot after Livramento was judged to have acted in the penalty area, after the ball struck his chest and then the elbow.
Mbappe sent the resulting penalty to secure a 1–1 draw, keeping PSG’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages in their own hands.
Referee Marciniak, who oversaw last year’s World Cup final and the 2023 Champions League final, was also praised for his performance by former Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas before the penalty.
However, Jenas claimed that Marciniak had bowed to pressure from the PSG players when he finally decided to award the penalty.
‘I think it’s a shock. The referee played such a good match, but he really gave in,” Jenas said.
‘For that to happen, at that moment, after Newcastle have performed as they did, it doesn’t feel good. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.’
Kwiatkowski was due to be the VAR for Real Sociedad’s match with RB Salzburg
Referee Szymon Marciniak made the decision to award the late penalty after the VAR assessment
Newcastle remain third in the Champions League group ahead of the final round of matches, with Howe’s side two points behind PSG.
PSG travel to face group leaders Borussia Dortmund in their final match, with the German side already assured of a place in the last 16.
Newcastle host AC Milan on December 13, with Howe’s side needing a favor from Dortmund.