'Newcastle Have Been Robbed': Controversial Late Penalty Awarded To PSG During UCL Clash

As a result of the penalty awarded, PSG managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United in their group-stage fixture of the UEFA Champions League.

While Newcastle looked all set for a victory against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in their UEFA Champions League (UCL) Group F faceoff with the help of Alexander Isak's 24th minute strike, in a rather anticlimactic end to the fixture for Newcastle fans, a controversial penalty was awarded to PSG which Kylian Mbappe gleefully scored off to level the scores 1-1 as the sides walked away with a point each. The decision to award the penalty has been a matter of serious debate tough.

The incident happened right at the very end in the eighth minute of the stoppage time. It was a cross from PSG's Ousmane Dembele which hit Newcastle's Tino Livramento's body and then ricocheted onto his arms. However, the Video Assisted Referee (VAR) gave the decision in favour of PSG, a verdict which has been met with criticism, especially from those in the Newcastle camp, who were understandably disappointed.

"What is Livramento meant to do with his arms? Wrap them round his back? I'm fuming," former Newcastle midfielder Jenas said on TNT Sports.

"The players threw everything at it and it should have been one of those historic wins. Newcastle have been robbed," he added.

It Wasn’t The Right Decision: Newcastle Manager Eddie Howe

The Premier League side's manager Eddie Howe also suggested that in his opinion the right call wasn't made.

"In my opinion, it wasn’t the right decision," Howe told reporters after the game.

"It was a ricochet that when it is slowed down looks totally different to the live event. It hits his hand, but I don’t think his hand is in an unnatural position. I feel it is a poor decision. It is hugely frustrating for us because at that moment you know how little time there is left in the game, but there is nothing we can do about it now," he added.

The 1-1 draw as opposed to a 1-0 win against the Ligue 1 giants, have completely changed the dynamics for both Newcastle United and PSG. Newcastle no longer have their fate in their own hands as they now must beat Milan at St James’ Park while also hoping that PSG suffer a slip-up in their fixture.