Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has voiced his dissatisfaction with the late penalty decision made by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak during their match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The Magpies were on the verge of a historic 1-0 victory over PSG when the referee awarded a penalty to the hosts after a VAR review. The decision allowed Kylian Mbappe to score the equalizing goal in the dying moments of added time. Howe believes the referee should have been more resolute in sticking to his original on-field decision.
Challenging Penalty Decision:
Eddie Howe expressed his disappointment with the penalty decision in his post-match comments, describing it as a “poor” decision. He cited several factors, including the speed of the incident and the trajectory of the ball, which made it appear different when slowed down for a VAR review. Howe noted that Tino Livramento’s hand was not in an unnatural position and that the decision was frustrating for his team, especially considering the limited time left in the game.
Unfortunate Outcome:
The late penalty decision ultimately denied Newcastle United a historic victory over PSG, and Eddie Howe expressed a sense of injustice regarding the outcome. He highlighted the challenges referees face in making split-second decisions, especially in high-pressure situations. Despite the disappointment, the result remains unchanged.
Eddie Howe’s critique of the referee’s penalty decision reflects the frustration felt by his team as they narrowly missed out on a memorable win against PSG. The incident highlights the importance of refereeing decisions in football and the scrutiny they face in crucial moments of the game.