Fans have told Jamie Carragher his assessment of why Bayern Munich were not awarded a penalty against Arsenal is “completely wrong”.
After Bayern Munich and Arsenal’s thrilling 2-2 Champions League first-leg draw at the Emirates, Thomas Tuchel was furious his side were not awarded a penalty following a bizarre handball incident.
While TNT Sports’ coverage initially focused its post-match talk on Bukayo Saka being denied a last-gasp spot-kick after a collision with Manuel Neuer, Tuchel was furious about another incident midway through the second half when Gabriel picked up the ball in his box.
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The Brazilian randomly picked up the ball after goalkeeper David Raya had played it into his path.
Tuchel claimed referee Glenn Nyberg refused to award a penalty after deeming it a "kid's mistake".
The Bayern head coach said: “I felt like a lot of little decisions went against us. The referee made a huge mistake in not giving a penalty. I know it’s a crazy situation, but they put the ball down, he [the referee] whistles, he [the goalkeeper] gives the ball to the defender [Gabriel], who then takes the ball in his hands.
“What makes us really angry is the explanation given on the field. He told our players that it was a kid’s mistake and he would not give a penalty like this in a quarter-final.
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“This is a horrible, horrible explanation because that means he is now judging handballs, whether it’s a kid’s or adult’s mistake. We feel angry because it’s a huge decision against us.”
After the game, however, Jamie Carragher wrote on X that the referee had made the correct decision not to award the penalty, adding that it was a “common sense” approach.
Carragher said: "This is spot on from @ChristinaUnkel the referee used common sense.
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“There was no advantage gained by Arsenal, it’s just a mix-up over who was taking the goal kick with no Munich player near the incident.
"You’d be sick if that went against you, especially in a CL quarter-final."
Several fans on X have hit back at Carragher’s assessment of the situation. One person said: “Sorry Jamie but you have this completely wrong. It has to be a penalty. It just has to.
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“Don't give a pen for this because it's a ‘mistake’ how many players will then use the same argument for other things. Either there are rules or there aren't.”
A second said: “Give over Jamie. Always use perspective in situations like this for clarity.
“You’re going to tell me that if this was a Champions League final with Liverpool and Arsenal, and you're beloved Liverpool are 1-0 down in the 95th minute, Arsenal fans cheering going nuts, about to lift the trophy, whistles blowing from the Arsenal fans pressurising the ref to blow the final whistle, scarfs being waved in jubilation.....and then this happens.... are you really saying you will still be sat there cool as a cucumber saying ‘Naa, you'd have to be sick for thinking that was a penalty’.
“It's the rules of the game! The ref blew his whistle, Raya passed it and the ball was picked up. It's a penalty, simple as that.”
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A third added: “So then in this context, I could just pass a ball back to my keeper and they can pick it up as long as there is no advantage and no pressing so back passes don’t count.”
Topics: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bukayo Saka, Champions League, Thomas Tuchel