Arsenal and Atletico Madrid controversy explained as Ian Wright fumes at VAR

Jack Otway
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:35:04 +0000

Arsenal'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.

The Gunners found themselves on the receiving end of what many considered baffling officiating from referee Danny Makkelie during a tempestuous encounter in Madrid.

Viktor Gyokeres had given Mikel Arteta's side the lead from the penalty spot in the opening half after Dávid Hancko brought him down.

However, 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.

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The drama intensified when Arsenal were subsequently denied what appeared to be a clear penalty on Eberechi Eze.

The 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.

White had charged towards the edge of the box to block a Marcos Llorente volley following Antoine Griezmann's corner delivery.

The ball struck the ground before deflecting off the defender's leg and onto his trailing arm, yet VAR intervened to award the spot-kick.

Former Premier League winger Yannick Bolasie was unequivocal in his assessment, posting: "No chance that can ever be a pen."

Supporters expressed their dismay across social media, with one declaring the handball regulations require "a complete overhaul."

Handball against Ben White and Atletico Madrid have a penalty! 😮

What do you make of that decision?

Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/S6H13YrKnl
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 29, 2026

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Another wrote: "If that's handball then the game has gone."

Alan Shearer had branded the similar PSG-Bayern ruling "nonsense" just 24 hours earlier.

The decision to overturn Arsenal's penalty sparked an even fiercer backlash.

Referee 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.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright erupted on social media, posting angry emojis alongside the message: "Knew he'd buckle! Home side gets that pen!"

Steven Gerrard described the reversal as "very harsh" on the visitors.

Steve 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.

Furious supporters accused Makkelie of being "spineless" and suggested he had capitulated under pressure from the home crowd and Simeone's protestations.

Arteta made his frustration abundantly clear in his post-match remarks, stating: "I don't understand it, I'm very, very upset."

The 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."

When asked whether the referee had been swayed by the hostile atmosphere, Arteta responded: "I don't know.

"It's a wrong decision and changes the course of the tie."