BUKAYO SAKA had to be shoved away from the referee after Bayern Munich refused him a late penalty.
In the 96th minute of the first leg match of the Champions League quarterfinal, the Arsenal player found himself through on goal.
Saka connected with Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s extended leg in the box with the score at 2-2.
Bukayo Saka was brought down by Manuel NeuerCredit: Alamy
The Arsenal star fell to the floor but no penalty was givenCredit: Getty
After the game, Saka confronted the referee angrilyCredit: TNT SPORTS
The winger went down right away, but to Arsenal’s infuriation, referee Glenn Nyberg rejected the penalty call because he obviously thought Saka had made the initial contact.
When the referee sounded the final whistle, Saka stood back up and faced the official.
Running up to the Swedish official, the winger lodged a complaint, pointing to his leg that had come into touch with Neuer.
Saka was swiftly pulled away by Gunners assistant boss Albert Stuivenberg, who then frustratedly waved his arms.
Commentator Ally McCoist of TNT Sports stated: “He truly believes it is a penalty. Though I believe there was a moment when he briefly threw his right leg into him, I still felt he arrived first.”
Rio Ferdinand vehemently objected, saying, “That is a penalty.” It is unbelievable to me. I am at the stadium, my hands on my head as I look around in shock. How come that was not provided?”
The analyst went on to say that he thought the referee ought to have been asked to visit the VAR monitor so he could confirm his own judgment.
“If you had ten top referees here tonight, nine of them would have given it,” yelled Martin Keown. The only referee who would not give it would be this one. It is really concerning to me.”
Twitter rage from Piers Morgan, a Sun columnist and Arsenal supporter: “That is a penalty.” Finish.”
Ian Wright, a Gunners legend, tweeted that he believed the referee had made the correct decision: “Not a pen for me.” Munich has work to be done.”
Harry Kane shared his thoughts post-match, saying: “It’s 50/50. It is a penalty, and I would have called it if he was on my team.
On the decision, Mikel Arteta bluntly confirmed after the game that VAR looked and decided it was not a spot-kick.
Regarding the dispute, fans were divided; one commented, “It is a disgrace.”
He had to be pushed away by Arsenal’s assistant coach
Someone another said: “I don’t care if Saka leaves his leg a bit you can literally see Neuer’s leg lunge.”
Others felt differently, saying: “This is 100 per cent not a penalty, there is zero intent to trip by Neuer and Saka is sticking his leg out.”
The reaction was: “All things considered, Saka should probably have kicked the ball into the net instead of deciding to kick Neuer in the shins.”
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel was also left angry at the referee after his side were denied a penalty in the 67th minute.
Gabriel picked up the ball after David Raya took a goal-kick, seemingly thinking the game was not in play despite the whistle being blown.
Tuchel commented on the handball, saying, “The referee made a huge mistake.” I know it was a crazy situation. They put the ball down, he whistles and the defender takes the ball with his hands.
“What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He told our players it was a ‘kid’s mistake’ and he won’t give a penalty for that in a Champions League quarter-final.
“It’s a horrible, horrible explanation.
“Kid’s mistake, adult’s mistake, whatever – we feel angry because it was a huge decision against us.”
After seeing a replay of the incident Tuchel was talking about, Ferdinand added: “It’s a pen. Oh my gosh, how can that not be given?
“I was so adamant that the Saka one was… I’m even more for this, it’s unbelievable.