In a dramatic turn of events during the Champions League quarter-final second leg between Real Madrid and Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabéu, UEFA has released an official statement explaining the controversial decision to overturn a penalty awarded to Real Madrid. The incident, which occurred in the 23rd minute, has sparked widespread debate among fans and pundits alike.
The penalty was initially awarded after Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé went to ground under contact from Arsenal's Declan Rice. However, following a lengthy VAR review, French referee François Letexier was advised to consult the pitchside monitor. After careful consideration, the referee reversed his decision, ruling that the contact was insufficient to warrant a penalty. Declan Rice's yellow card, issued during the initial decision, was also rescinded.
UEFA's statement clarified the rationale behind the decision: "The penalty for Real Madrid has been taken away due to a non-foul by Declan Rice." This explanation aligns with the VAR team's assessment that the contact did not meet the threshold for a foul.
The decision proved pivotal in the match, as Arsenal maintained their defensive resilience to hold Real Madrid at bay. The Gunners, who entered the game with a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead, are now poised to advance to the semi-finals, marking their first appearance at this stage since 2009.
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