Jermaine Jenas has claimed that PSG should not have been awarded a penalty in their 1-1 draw against Newcastle United on Tuesday night.
Newcastle came into the game knowing they had to get a result and came very close to walking away with all three points if it wasn’t for VAR.
TNT Sports pundit Jermaine Jenas revealed how he thought it was a terrible decision from the referee and VAR and how it has now robbed Newcastle of three points.
Jenas was ‘fuming’ after penalty decision
Up until this decision, the general consensus was that referee Szymon Marciniak had actually had a pretty good game after waving away a couple of previous penalty shouts which were quite clearly never going to be given.
In the final moments of the game, however, the experienced official awarded an extremely controversial penalty to PSG and people are still trying to figure out how he and VAR came to this conclusion.
Tino Livramento was deemed to have handled the ball in the box, but it was kicked at him so fast and crucially onto his chest first that there was nothing the defender could do about it.
Jenas was infuriated after the game and claimed that the referee had actually robbed Newcastle by handing that last minute penalty to PSG which was fired home by Kylian Mbappe.
In his analysis, Jenas said: “I think it’s a shocker. The referee had such a good game but he’s caved really. For that to happen, in that moment like that, after Newcastle performed the way they did, it doesn’t feel right.
“It’s a bitter pill to swallow. It’s one of the most disgraceful decisions I’ve seen in a long, long time.
“What is Livramento meant to do with his arms? Wrap them round his back? I’m fuming. The players threw everything at it and it should have been one of those historic wins. Newcastle have been robbed.”
Newcastle can still be proud after performance vs PSG
As Jenas suggested, Newcastle were indeed robbed of what would have been a massive three points against PSG in their bid to make it out of Group F.
However, knowing how level-headed and focused Eddie Howe is, the boss will be keen to focus on the positives for Newcastle on a night where many expected them to come away with zero points.
Alexander Isak’s opening goal has at least kept them in the running for second in the group and a place in the Champions League knockout rounds.
Hopefully for Howe none of his players will have picked up any other injuries in this game or in the coming days as he hopes to get a number of players back to full fitness ahead of a crucial game against AC Milan at St James’ Park.
After seeing what a difference Isak can make in a game at this level, the head coach will again be looking to the striker to lead the line and help to drag his team to what would be an incredible victory in the North East.
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