Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was incandescent at the decision to award Paris Saint-Germain a last-gasp penalty that denied his team a Champions League win over the French club on Tuesday.
Alexander Isak's 25th-minute goal had given the Magpies a 25th-minute lead at the Parc des Prince but a precious three points was snatched from their grasp when Polish referee Szymon Marciniak awarded PSG a penalty deep in injury time following a VAR check for a handball by Tino Livramento.
The award appeared harsh, with Ousmane Dembele's cross striking Livramento's body before the ball bounced up on to his arm. Kylian Mbappe converted the spot-kick to earn PSG a 1-1 draw that changes the outlook for both clubs going into the final round of matches in Group F.
"In my opinion, it wasn't the right decision," insisted Howe as he spoke to reporters after the game. "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, but there is nothing we can do about it now."
What does the handball law say?
According to the laws of the game, when deciding a handball decision in a game, referees have three key considerations:
- Whether it is a "deliberate action" by the player - ie have they moved their arm towards the ball?;
- The proximity of the player from the ball and the speed it hits them on the arm/hand;
- If the the hand or arm is in "an unnatural position", - ie away from the body
In Newcastle's case, the referee deemed that Livramento handled the ball, even if it was not deliberate, and his arm was in an unnatural position.
Liverpool were the victims of a similar decision in the second-tier Europa League last month. Reds midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was adjudged to have handled the ball after it rolled off his chest and on to his arm in the buildup to Jarell Quansah scoring what would have been a last-minute equaliser against Toulouse.
Following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was chalked off and Liverpool lost the game 3-2.
Would it have been given in the Premier League?
Given the number of controversial incidents already this season, it's more than possible.
But where it becomes complicated for all involved is that different competitions allow room for additional mitigation for referees to consider.
For instance, in the Premier League, allowances are made by officials for when the ball strikes another part of the body first, prior to it hitting the player's arm.
On that basis, it is possible Livramento would not have been penalised had it been a Premier League match. But again, it's by no means certain.
In April, the Uefa football board – an independent advisory group – recommended that "Uefa should clarify that no handball offence should be called on a player if the ball is previously deflected from his own body".
PSG v Newcastle player ratings
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PSG PLAYER RATINGS: Made two saves to keep PSG in the game. Could have done better with Newcastle's goal. Getty Images -
Played a huge role in PSG's attack despite primarily being a defender. Teed up Mbappe for the first attempt on goal of the game with a lovely cross in the ninth minute. Should have ended the game with at least an assist. AFP -
Looked solid in defence but failed to do much going forward despite PSG dominating possession. AFP -
Wasn’t really called into action due to PSG dominating most of the game. Tried to help build attacks by stepping into midfield. AP -
Came across at the last minute to stop Gordon from getting on the end of Guimaraes’s through-ball. Made several interceptions, including a last-ditch tackle to stop Isak from running through on goal in the first half. AFP -
Kept things simple at the base of PSG’s midfield. Could have done better with his attacking contribution in the first half. Denied by a block from Guimaraes in the 44th minute. AP -
Influential in PSG’s midfield that dominated Newcastle, but he struggled with his final passes to set up the attacking trio. AFP -
Forced Pope into a routine save from the edge of the penalty area on the stroke of half-time. Carved out several chances with his intricate play, but the PSG frontline failed to apply the finishing touch. AFP -
Should have at least made Pope work when he had a chance from a free-kick in the 22nd minute. Denied a goal from point-blank range by a block from Schar on the stroke of half-time. Won the penalty that led to the equaliser. EPA -
Forced Pope into a vital stop with an improvised flick to direct Hakimi’s cross on target. Used his trickiness to get past two Newcastle defenders and served the ball on a plate for Barcola to score. Grabbed the all-important equaliser with a well-taken penalty into the roof of the net in the seventh minute of extra time. AFP -
The least effective of PSG’s attacking trio, Muani struggled to get involved and was rightly taken off on the hour mark. Played Dembele through on goal with a lovely flick in the 56th minute. EPA -
SUBS: (Kolo Muani 61') Should have scored with arguably his first touch of the game, but Pope provided a crucial save to deny the youngster. Had another chance to score two minutes later, but he chose the wrong option of trying to beat Pope at his near post. Could have had a hat-trick on the night. Reuters -
(Ugarte 62') Tried to test Pope from the edge of the penalty area in injury time but Guimaraes denied him with a brave block. Added fresh legs and energy to PSG's midfield. AFP -
(Lee Kang-in 82') Had a go from range in the 89th minute, but his effort flew high and wide. Had another shot from the edge of the penalty area three minutes later, but he failed to keep his effort on target. Reuters -
(Pereira 85') Didn't really do much after coming except for picking up a yellow card for being in the referee’s ear. AFP -
NEWCASTLE PLAYER RATINGS: Did well to quickly step off his line to stop Dembele in the 56th minute. Made a world-class save to deny Barcola from point-blank range in the 64th minute. Made another crucial save to deny Mbappe late on. AFP -
The primary catalyst for Newcastle's goal as he went on a mazy run that pulled PSG’s defence out of shape before laying the ball off to Almiron. Must have felt aggrieved after he was penalised for a harsh handball in the penalty area in injury time. Getty Images -
Stuck to his task at the back. Wasn’t allowed space to make an impact in attack and was surprisingly poor with his set pieces. AP -
Provided a goal-saving block to deny Dembele in the second minute of first-half injury time. Stayed close to Dembele and forced him to hit a shot wide from close range in the 82nd minute. Made several clearances. AFP -
Led the backline well. Crucial in the air as Newcastle repeatedly cleared crosses into the penalty area throughout the game. AP -
The youngster was crucial to Newcastle’s deep midfield. Tucked in well to almost play as a third centre-back and made several blocks. Tracked back well to stop a cross from Dembele in the 41st minute. EPA -
Picked up the first yellow card of the match with a needless foul on Hernandez in the 22nd minute. Worked his socks off next to Guimaraes. Played most of the game in his own half as he tucked in to help repel PSG attacks. EPA -
A very disciplined and hardworking display from the Brazilian. Made several brave blocks with his body and never shied away from 50-50 challenges. AFP -
Dropped deep to help Livramento deal with the threat of Dembele and Hakimi. Caused PSG problems with his pace and repeatedly helped relieve pressure by winning fouls in the final third. Getty Images -
Played a huge part in the opener as his shot was parried into the path of Isak to hit home. Just like Gordon, Almiron also worked in tandem with Trippier to help deal with Mbappe. EPA -
Should have at least tested Donnarumma when Almiron set him up in the 12th minute. Opened the scoring against the run of play after Donnarumma spilled Almiron’s effort into his path in the 24th minute. AFP
