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Jenas Expresses Outrage As VAR Denies Newcastle Potential UCL Victory Against PSG
In a heated moment, former player Jermaine Jenas voiced his frustration over what he called a “shocking decision” made by VAR, disallowing Newcastle United’s potential historic win against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the UEFA Champions League.
Newcastle United’s near-triumph against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League was marred by a contentious 98th-minute penalty awarded to PSG.
This penalty, converted by Kylian Mbappe, dashed Newcastle’s hopes of a historic victory, ending the game in a frustrating 1-1 draw.
Jermaine Jenas, a former Newcastle player, couldn’t contain his frustration, slamming the decision as one of the most appalling he’s witnessed in a long time. He criticized the late penalty awarded to PSG after a VAR intervention sparked by a debatable handball call against Tino Lavramento.
Jenas passionately argued that the handball was a deflection off Lavramento’s chest onto his arm, far from being a clear penalty. He highlighted the immense effort put in by the players and the tactical adjustments made by Newcastle, emphasizing the sense of injustice felt by the team due to the questionable call.
Adding to the controversy, Jenas pointed out a similar incident earlier in the game involving Newcastle’s Jamie Miley, where VAR ruled it not a penalty. This inconsistency left Jenas perplexed, calling it negligence towards the game and the players’ efforts.
The draw has significant consequences for Newcastle’s Champions League aspirations. Instead of potentially securing a higher position in Group E, they now sit third, needing a win against AC Milan and a favourable result in another match to progress—a stark shift from a potential position of control.
The frustration and sense of injustice reverberate through Newcastle’s camp as they now face an uphill battle to advance in the prestigious tournament.
