UMVA has learned that Arsenal’s furious plea for a penalty was dismissed in the dying moments of the Champions League final, leaving the English side to watch their dream crumble.
After a dazzling opener from Kai Havertz, the Gunners seemed destined for glory in Budapest. Yet PSG’s relentless pressure forced a dramatic equaliser when Ousmane Dembele converted a spot‑kick after Cristhian Mosquera clipped Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the box.
The whistle for extra‑time also signalled the climax of Arsenal’s protest. Substitute Noni Madueke tumbled after a collision with PSG full‑back Nuno Mendes, and the Arsenal bench erupted, demanding a penalty.
Referee Daniel Siebert, however, waved the appeal away, and VAR chose not to intervene. The decision ignited a furious outburst from Declan Rice, who was eventually booked for his vehement protests.
In the ensuing penalty shoot‑out, Arsenal’s hopes evaporated as Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed their kicks, sealing a heartbreaking defeat.
Former Premier League referee Graham Scott defended Siebert’s call, arguing that a VAR review would not have uncovered enough evidence to overturn the decision, and praised the referee for resisting pressure.
Former players echoed the sentiment. Ally McCoist described the incident as “not a clear and obvious error,” while ex‑Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard labelled Mendes’s challenge “very clumsy,” suggesting Arsenal were “hard done by.”
Jack Wilshere added that many had seen a penalty, but emphasized the referee’s hesitation, recalling the fury that radiated from the Arsenal camp.
Rice, in his post‑match interview, insisted that “at first glance” he believed a penalty was warranted, recalling a similar situation against Bayer Leverkusen and expressing his disappointment at the referee’s indecision.
Meanwhile, defender Cristhian Mosquera escaped a second yellow card for the foul that led to the PSG penalty, a decision explained by experts as consistent with current rules that treat a penalty foul differently from a denial of a promising attack.
Despite the controversy, Mosquera’s earlier performance had drawn praise, with Arsenal legend Martin Keown hailing his first‑half display as “magnificent.”
The final whistle left Arsenal fans with a lingering sense of injustice, their triumphant Premier League triumph now shadowed by a night of missed chances and unanswered questions.
