Did VAR get big calls right? Debate rages on after Champions League drama

“It’s a disgrace. They get four guys who don’t understand football to watch a slow-motion replay in front of the TV,” the injured Neymar wrote on Instagram after watching PSG’s shock elimination against Manchester United.

PSG were wobbling and trailing 2-1 at the Parc des Princes when Slovenian referee Damir Skomina gave a penalty after reviewing the images when Presnel Kimpembe blocked an apparently wayward Diogo Dalot shot with his arm.

Marcus Rashford duly scored the penalty that dumped PSG out on away goals. But should such a crucial decision have been given?

“I am a big supporter of VAR and I stay a big supporter of VAR,” said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel, before admitting: “It was a big decision, a cruel decision.”

– ‘The law is wrong’ –

In England, amid euphoria about the manner in which a depleted United side had gone through, even former players of the Old Trafford club said the penalty should not have been given.

“I don’t care what any referee tells me, that just isn’t handball,” ex-United defender Rio Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

“I love it that it is handball but I don’t get it. The law is wrong.”

On the same channel, Michael Owen, another ex-United player, said: “I know there’ll be people who will say it’s a penalty but for me it’s not one in a million years.”

UEFA bowed to pressure by bringing forward the introduction of Video Assistant Referees into the Champions League from this season’s knockout rounds.

Back in September, they had announced it would come in from next season, but it was widely a success at the World Cup and is now used in many domestic leagues, including the top flights in Spain, Italy, Germany and France.

However, at the very least there remain teething problems when it comes to the interpretation of handball — only last weekend changes were announced to the law from next season, saying it will no longer have to be “deliberate”.

– Roma denounce ‘robbery’ –

In the meantime, there remained widespread disagreement over Wednesday’s crucial calls.

“What we’re finding with VAR is every ex-footballer thinks something is not a penalty but every referee thinks it is. There’s a huge disconnect and that is the worrying thing,” added Owen.

A year ago, Gianluigi Buffon was in goal for Juventus when they were knocked out by Real Madrid after a debatable, late penalty.

The Italians demanded the introduction of VAR on the back of that, but Buffon, now at PSG, will wish it had not been in place as he was beaten by Rashford’s kick.

Meanwhile, Roma were left with the same bitter taste as they went out in extra time to Porto, losing 3-1 on the night, and 4-3 on aggregate.

The tie hinged on a decision by Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir to point to the spot late in extra time upon reviewing an incident in which Alessandro Florenzi hauled back the Porto player Fernando.

Alex Telles converted the spot-kick, and Roma were then denied a penalty at the other end following a review, after Patrik Schick tumbled to the ground.

“Last year we asked for VAR in the Champions League because we got screwed in the semi-final and tonight, they’ve got VAR and we still get robbed,” raged Roma president James Pallotta.

“Patrik Schick was clearly clipped in the box, VAR shows it, and nothing is given. I’m tired of this crap. I give up.”

Back in Italy, newspaper headlines talked of “a disgrace”, and said Roma had been “robbed”. Contrast that with the view in Portugal, as Porto advanced to the quarter-finals.

“Blessed be the VAR that detected a penalty that was barely visible on the field but was very real,” said sports daily A Bola.

How can VAR possibly be a satisfactory solution when interpretations of the rule continue to vary so wildly?