Howard Webb makes ‘super harsh’ Newcastle United admission after Champions League controversy

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United were knocked out of the Champions League in controversial circumstances last season.

The Magpies finished bottom of their group, which did not come as a major surprise after they were drawn against Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.

But while Newcastle United did finish fourth, it would have been a different story had a major decision not gone against them.

‘Disgraceful’ penalty call in Newcastle’s draw with PSG last year

Eddie Howe‘s side travelled to Paris in November, and were on course for a famous 1-0 win. Alexander Isak had given Newcastle the lead, while they defended valiantly to keep Kylian Mbappe and co at bay.

Nick Pope was outstanding for Newcastle that night, making some incredible saves.

But he was helpless in stoppage time, as Mbappe converted a penalty to ensure the game ended 1-1.

However, that penalty was highly controversial. It was given by VAR for a handball by Tino Livramento, despite the ball deflecting off his chest first. Livramento felt terrible after conceding the penalty, and was actually laughing when the PSG players first appealed.

Ally McCoist said the decision was a ‘disgrace’, and it cost Newcastle in a major way.

Howard Webb comments on ‘harsh’ Newcastle decision

Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, former Premier League referee Howard Webb has admitted that the Livaramento penalty decision from almost 12 months ago was ‘super harsh’.

Webb was talking about the differences between UEFA’s handball law and what is implemented in the Premier League, with UEFA penalising players if the ball hits their arm and it is away from their body whether there is intent or not. He then referenced that decision against Newcastle.

“They [UEFA] do that to be consistent,” he said.

“They do it because they say if your arm gets hit when it’s away from your body you’re going to get penalised.

“But then you see situations like Newcastle last year in Paris. Super harsh penalty, wasn’t it? It came off his body first and then onto his arm. In the end, they lost the game on the back of that.”

Penalty call helped knock Newcastle out of Europe

Webb did make a slight mistake. The decision did not result in Newcastle losing, with the game ending 1-1. But the late nature of the penalty and the size of the game meant it was a draw that felt like a loss.

And it did have seismic ramifications on the rest of the Magpies’ Champions League campaign. It meant that PSG were able to qualify for the next round with a draw in their final game, while Newcastle came bottom when they lost to AC Milan.

However, Newcastle would have came third and PSG would have been bottom had that night in Paris ended with the Magpies winning 1-0.

It was a ridiculous decision, and one that Toon fans will never forget. It was made even more painful for Newcastle when PSG made it to the semi-final, where they lost to Borussia Dortmund.