Thomas Tuchel makes incredible claim about what Arsenal-Bayern Munich referee told him on why he didn’t give a penalty for ‘kid’s mistake’ after Gabriel’s unforced handball let-off in 2-2 draw
- Thomas Tuchel claimed the referee said his side should have been awarded two penalties
- One was given, but the second incident was missed by the live TV coverage
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Thomas Tuchel accused the referee of not penalizing Gabriel for picking up the ball in the penalty area because it was a ‘child’s mistake’ as two controversial penalty decisions left both sides frustrated.
After 66 minutes, David Raya played a goal kick to Gabriel, who then handled the ball. But referee Glenn Nyberg allowed play to continue in an incident missed by live TV broadcasts.
“For me and for all of us, he (the referee) made a big mistake by not giving a handball penalty,” Tuchel said.
βI know it’s a crazy situation, but they put the ball down, he whistles, he gives the ball and the defender (Gabriel) takes the ball in his hand.
‘What really makes us angry is the explanation on the pitch. He told our players that it was a ‘child’s mistake’ and that he would not give such a penalty in a quarter-final.
Gabriel clearly grabbed the ball from a goal kick, but the referee decided to take no action
Thomas Tuchel was furious with the referee’s decision not to award Bayern a second penalty
Tuchel said the referee claimed Gabriel’s mistake was a ‘child’s mistake’ and did not award a penalty
βThis is a horrible, horrible statement. He judges handballs. A child’s mistake, an adult’s mistake. Whatever. We are angry because it is a huge decision against us.β
TNT Sports analyzed the incident after the match, with pundit Rio Ferdinand saying: ‘It’s a pen, oh my god. How can that not be given?
βI was so determined that it was Saka’s, I’m even more in favor of this. It’s unbelievable. How can he blow the whistle like that and not give it?’
Martin Keown said the incident was ‘absolutely indefensible’, adding: ‘The referee may be a bit out of his league.
“We thought he played a decent game, but there are important moments in the game that both teams can look at.”
Later in the match, with the score tied at 2-2, Bukayo Saka went down in the 93rd minute after his right leg made contact with Manuel Neuer after the goalkeeper ran out of his net.
Nyberg waved on playing and at full-time an irate Saka marched towards the match official as he left the field.
Experts Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown were furious with the decision after the final whistle
Bukayo Saka went down in the 93rd minute after his right leg made contact with Manuel Neuer
Mikel Arteta said: ‘I haven’t seen it. The decision has been made, we cannot change that.’
‘Yes for sure (I can sympathize with Saka’s reaction) if he thought it was a penalty, for sure.’
He added: ‘In the Champions League you can’t give anything to the opponent, we gave two goals today. If you have these situations, they will punish you. That’s the biggest lesson.
‘I feel confident that we will go to Munich and have the chance to win and that we will be better in certain areas. This is how we will prepare for it.’
