Declan Rice risks a ban from UEFA for the statements he made after Arsenal’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
The first leg of the semi-final between the teams at the Wanda Metropolitano was full of controversy.
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Arsenal were awarded a penalty just before half-time when Viktor Gyökeres was fouled by David Hancko. The Swede got up, dusted himself off and slotted the penalty elegantly to give the team the lead.
Atletico were awarded a penalty ten minutes into the second half, when Ben White was penalised for a foul. Julián Álvarez made no mistake from the mark and equalized to 1-1.
The referee pointed to the penalty mark for the third time when Eberechi Eze went to the ground after another clumsy Hancko tackle. Atletico were furious, and after video review, the referee controversially reversed his own ruling.
No more goals came, and the game ended 1–1.
Rice could be banned for his return
The decision to overturn Arsenal’s penalty in the second half was highly controversial. Many believe the referee should have stood by his original decision – including former PGMOL boss Keith Hackett and ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey.
Steven Gerrard and Ally McCoist speculated that the penalty would not have been overturned if it had been the home side who had received it.
“Can I give you two a little theory?” I think if it had happened in the second box, the penalty would have been given – and remained given,” McCoist said.
“Yes, probably because of the reaction from the crowd and Diego Simeone. I think he played a big role. He is in the referee’s field of vision when he walks over to the screen,” Gerrard replied.
It is a view Rice shares.
“The fans influenced the referee”
In an interview with Stan Sport after the game, he said:
“UEFA is completely different. In both boxes, you have to be very careful, because they judge absolutely everything.
“Eberechi Eze’s penalty is obvious. I don’t understand how it wasn’t given. I think the fans provoked the decision and changed the referee’s opinion.
The Sun now reports that Rice could be sanctioned for questioning the integrity of the referees – with a possible ban as a result. The newspaper writes that the UEFA leaders will wait for the referee’s official report before taking action.
Arteta rages: “Completely unacceptable”
Mikel Arteta was also not happy with the ruling.
“After going back to the locker room, talking to the boys and watching the episode again, this is extremely disappointing and annoying. It was against the rules and changes the course of the game. I’m very, very upset,” he told TNT Sports.
“The whole sequence. There is clear contact. You cannot reverse a decision when you have to look at it 13 times. That is completely unacceptable at this level. That is simply wrong.
Still in a good position
Despite the controversial decision, Arsenal are in a good position to reach the Champions League final. The team goes into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next week as the clear favourite.
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