Man City robbed after VAR ignores clearest handball in 1-1 draw vs RB Leipzig

Okeke George Chijioke
Feb 23, 2023
Man City fans are fuming after VAR ignores apparent handball in 1-1 draw vs RB Leipzig

There was a very controversial incident in the 92nd minute of Manchester City's Champions League match away at RB Leipzig on Wednesday evening.

While the two teams were level at 1-1 thanks to goals from Riyad Mahrez and Josko Gvardiol, the visitors were adamant they should have been awarded a late penalty.

The City players appealed fiercely for a handball inside the box by Leipzig's Benjamin Henrichs, but the referee didn't bat an eyelid.

VAR opted not to intervene either, which appeared to suggest at the time there wasn't actually an infringement in the first place.

However, when BT Sport broadcast the slow-motion footage in their post-match analysis of the 1-1 draw, it was almost impossible not to think Leipzig got away with one deep into stoppage-time.

Check out the incident, which sparked scenes of disbelief in the studio...

Video: Should City have been awarded a late penalty vs Leipzig?


A popular Twitter account dedicated to VAR controversy is firmly in the City camp too.

It really does look a stonewall penalty based on that footage, doesn't it?
Henrichs' arm is clearly in an unnatural position and appears to even move towards the ball, but alas a penalty was not awarded to City.

So, were those operating VAR just feeling incredibly lenient towards the hosts? Well, technically no, because they didn't even review the incident - as hard as that is to believe.

The information was revealed by former referee Peter Walton on BT Sport, who also stated he thinks City were unlucky not to be awarded a spot kick.

When Walton goes against the officials, you know it's a bad one.

Video: Peter Walton on City's penalty controversy vs Leipzig

Walton said: “I thought there was a handball offence there. The arm is in an unnatural position for that phase of play, the ball clearly strikes it from the angles we are seeing but the VAR did not check it.

 “I have a monitor linked with UEFA that tells me when VAR are checking incidents. This particular incident wasn’t checked and I am surprised it wasn’t.

“If there’s an angle we’re not seeing where it strikes his shoulder, then I understand that. I haven’t seen that angle, all I’ve seen is what we’ve seen today and, for me, that was a handball offence.”

It seems to be yet another bad look for VAR, the technology which has had a bit of a mare in the Premier League of late - to say the least.


 

Okeke George Chijioke

Okeke George Chijioke

When you don't see Okeke George blogging, he sure will engage him self in sporting activities.

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