Thomas Tuchel makes incredible claim about what Arsenal-Bayern Munich referee told him on why he didn’t give a penalty for ‘kid’s mistake’ after Gabriel’s unforced handball let-off in 2-2 draw
Thomas Tuchel accused the referee of not penalising Gabriel for picking the ball up in the box because it was a ‘kid’s mistake’ as two contentious penalty decisions left both sides frustrated.
On 66 minutes, David Raya played a goal-kick to Gabriel who had then handled the ball. But referee Glenn Nyberg let play continue in an incident that was missed by live TV broadcasts.
‘For me, for all of us, he (the referee) made a huge mistake not giving the handball penalty,’ said Tuchel.
‘I know it is a crazy situation but they put the ball down, he whistles, he gives the ball and the defender (Gabriel) takes the ball in his hand.
‘What makes us really angry is the explanation on the field. He told our players that it is a, “Kid’s mistake” and he will not give a penalty like this in a quarter-final.
Gabriel clearly handled the ball from a goal kick, but the referee chose to take no action
Thomas Tuchel was fuming with the referee’s decision not to give Bayern a second penalty
Tuchel said the referee claimed Gabriel’s error was a ‘kid’s mistake’, and did not give a penalty
‘This is a horrible, horrible explanation. He is judging handballs. Kid’s mistake, adult’s mistake. Whatever. We feel angry because it is a huge decision against us.’
TNT Sports analysed the incident post-match, with pundit Rio Ferdinand saying: ‘It’s a pen, oh my gosh. How can that not be given?
‘I was so adamant that Saka’s one was, I’m even more for this. It’s unbelievable. How can he blow the whistle like that and not give it?’
Martin Keown said the incident was ‘absolutely indefensible’, adding: ‘The referee is maybe a little bit out of his depth.
‘We thought he had a decent game, but there’s key moments in the game there both teams can look at.’
Later in the match, tied at 2-2, Bukayo Saka went down in the 93rd minute after his right leg made contact with Manuel Neuer, the goalkeeper having rushed out of his net.
Nyberg waved play on and at full-time a furious Saka marched over to to the match official as he walked off the pitch.
Pundits Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown were fuming with the decision after the final whistle
Bukayo Saka went down in the 93rd minute after his right leg made contact with Manuel Neuer
Mikel Arteta said: ‘I haven’t seen it. The decision has been made, we cannot change that.’
‘Yeah for sure (can sympathise with Saka’s reaction) if he had that belief that it was a penalty, for sure.’
He added: ‘In the Champions League you cannot give anything to the opponent, we have given two goals today. When you have these situations they are going to punish you. That’s the biggest lesson.
‘I sense the belief that we’re going to go to Munich and we’re going to have the chance to win it and we’re going to be better in certain areas. That’s how we’re going to prepare for it.’
