Ex-PGMOL chief reacts to Arsenal penalty controversy vs PSG in Champions League final

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Credit: Imago Sat 30 May 2026 20:20, UK Keith Hackett believes that VAR should have intervened when Arsenal’s late penalty claim was turned down in their defeat to PSG in the Champions League final.The Gunners lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw on Saturday to miss out on the trophy.Arsenal had gone ahead thanks to Kai Havertz before Ousmane Dembele netted a penalty in the second half to level the game, before it eventually went to a shootout.However, Arsenal felt that they should have been awarded a penalty in extra time when Noni Madueke was taken down by Nuno Mendes inside the box.Now, Hackett believes that a penalty kick should have been given, and referee Daniel Siebert should have at least had a second look in a controversial Champions League final. ⚽ Arsenal Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert verdicts and previews, and tactical analysis for every Gunners fixture. VISIT THE ARSENAL MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Keith Hackett: Daniel Siebert should have had second look at Arsenal penalty claimThere were plenty of odd decisions throughout the Champions League final on Saturday, but easily the most controversial was the failure to award Arsenal a late penalty.The Gunners were adamant it should have been given, with Declan Rice and Mikel Arteta both booked for their protests.Match statsPSGArsenalPossession75.4%24.6%Shots217Shots on target41xG1.770.39Corners114PSG dominated the match against ArsenalYet, VAR seemingly deemed the decision as not clear and obvious, with Siebert’s original decision standing.Upon reviewing the footage, Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that VAR should have given the referee a second look at the incident.He said: “The referee was firm in his decision not to award a penalty kick, satisfied that no offence had taken place.

“My first thoughts were that a penalty kick should have been awarded, and I suggest that had the referee pointed to the penalty mark, VAR would not have intervened.— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 30, 2026 “The referee said no, and VAR, viewing the replays, decided that there was not a clear and obvious error by the match referee to meet the criteria to send the referee to the screen.“Without question, I think we can all say that we have seen these given. I suspect the referee judged that the Arsenal player was doing the holding.“Frankly, in these tight decision I would like the referee to have a second look to determine the accuracy of such an important call.”What was Jack Wilshere’s take on the penalty claim?Arsenal have had plenty of odd decisions go for them this season, but none were as important as this.Plenty of similar challenges have resulted in penalty kicks in the past, and if awarded, it would have no doubt put the Gunners in the driving seat.Watching the game on TNT Sports, Jack Wilshere believed that if it was given, there would have been little debate.He said: “Yeah, I think I’ve seen them given, and if it was given, I don’t think we would’ve said it wasn’t a penalty.

And players know, Declan was fuming.”However, this will do little to ease Arsenal’s pain as the Champions League trophy continues to elude them. 💰 ARSENAL INSIDER UPDATE 💰 Inside the transfer budget, player wages, new kits, off-pitch deals and boardroom developments at Emirates Stadium. Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the Emirates Stadium.