VAR for disputed Paris Saint-Germain Champions League penalty stood down by Uefa

PARIS – The VAR (video assistant referee) official at the centre of a controversial penalty award in Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Newcastle United was removed from duty by Uefa for a game on Nov 29, European football’s governing body said.

Poland’s Tomasz Kwiatkowski was due to be the VAR at the Champions League Group D match between Real Sociedad and Red Bull Salzburg in Spain, but he was confirmed to have been stood down.

His replacement comes after Kylian Mbappe scored a penalty eight minutes into injury time to earn PSG a point against Newcastle in Paris on Nov 28, a result that deprived the English side of a famous victory and leaves them on the brink of a group-stage exit.

The Magpies were leading 1-0 when on-field referee Szymon Marciniak was called by his Polish compatriot Kwiatkowski to come across and review images of a handball in the box by Tino Livramento.

A penalty was given, despite the offence appearing highly questionable and a similar handball claim against Newcastle’s Lewis Miley being dismissed earlier in the second half.

The English Premier League club’s manager, Eddie Howe, called the penalty award a “poor decision” when speaking after the game.

“In my opinion, it wasn’t the right decision,” he had said.

“It was a ricochet that when it is slowed down looks totally different to the live event. It hits his hand, but I don’t think his hand is in an unnatural position. I feel it is a poor decision.

“It is hugely frustrating for us because at that moment you know how little time there is left in the game.”

There was harsher criticism from pundits, none other than Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, who called the penalty decision “disgusting”.

Another former Magpie, Jermaine Jenas, said: “It’s one of the most disgraceful decisions I’ve seen in a long, long time. It comes down to a really shocking decision that a referee has made.

“Not in any walk of life is that a penalty. It just isn’t. So you can clearly see it hits Livramento’s chest, onto his arm – what’s he supposed to do with his arm, wrap it around his back?”

Kwiatowski is a highly experienced referee who performed VAR duties at the 2022 Qatar World Cup final, which was won on penalties by Argentina against France. AFP