Jamie Carragher slammed the ‘awful’ call to give Paris Saint-Germain a penalty against Newcastle United in the Champions League.
Former France striker Thierry Henry stated it was ‘controversial to say the least’ as Kylian Mbappe converted from the spot in stoppage time to break Newcastle United’s hearts.
Up until the dying moments of the game, Eddie Howe thought his team were going to leave Paris, where they needed the points, with a much-needed win to lift them off the bottom of Group F.
And whilst they have moved into third place now, in truth, they should be sitting in second and Carragher made it clear that ‘nobody likes these’ calls, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (28/11/23 at 10:15 pm).
Tino Livramento was the man punished and, as Jamie Carragher pointed out, he was ‘motioning to run’, so his arm is going to be where it was – Paul Merson also shared his own thoughts.
This doesn’t seem to be an issue with the referee’s lack of understanding, but the fact that, on paper or per the rules, he made the right call because it states that this type of action is a penalty when it shouldn’t.
Newcastle penalty controversy v PSG
“And then the controversial penalty to say the least,” said Henry. “It allows Paris Saint-Germain to come back and put themselves in a situation where they need to, at the very least, not lose. It was vital for them not to lose tonight.”
Carragher added: “That is an awful decision to go against you as a football player. I understand when you say sometimes, ‘the arm is away from the body and things like that’.
“He is so close. It takes a deflection. His arm is in a motion to run. Where is he actually supposed to put his arm? His arm isn’t just stuck out standing there. He is actually motioning to run and defend – Nobody like these. Supporters don’t like this.”
Newcastle still fighting
The Magpies feared that there was a chance that there would be no Europe beyond Christmas.
But now fate is in their hands – Ally McCoist praised four Newcastle players during the game.
The final game for Newcastle is a home clash against bottom-of-the-table AC Milan. Win that and, at the very least, it’s Europa League football.
And if Dortmund can beat PSG as well during the final round of matches, then it’s a place in the knockout stages for this Newcastle side who deserved so much more from yesterday’s game.
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