ESPN FC crew back VAR call to overturn Arsenal’s penalty (1:41)Stewart Robson, Frank Leboeuf and Craig Burley agree with the VAR intervention that prevented a second Arsenal penalty against Atletico Madrid. (1:41)
Andy Davies, Special to ESPNMultiple AuthorsApr 29, 2026, 07:19 PM ET
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday.
What happened: As Arsenal attacker Viktor Gyökeres neatly received the ball in the Atlético penalty area, defender Dávid Hancko appeared to clatter into the back of the Arsenal player. With Gyökeres on the ground, referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot, awarding Arsenal a penalty for a careless foul challenge.
VAR decision: VAR did not require too many looks at this challenge and quickly cleared the on-field decision as correct.
Verdict / Insight: Yes, this was a correct on-field decision and non-intervention from VAR. The challenge by Hancko was clumsy and unwise. Gyökeres’ clever body position left the Atlético defender with no opportunity to play the ball, and this was a poor judgment by the Atlético player.
Time: 55 minutes Incident: Penalty awarded to Atlético Madrid following a handball offense by Arsenal defender Ben White.
What happened: A shot on goal by Atlético Madrid’s Marcos Llorente struck the arm of Arsenal’s Ben White. However, a deflection off the shin of the defender before the ball struck his arm created a level of debate. The on-field referee eventually awarded a penalty following a visit to the VAR screen.
Unlike last night’s decision, this incident would be penalized in the Premier League for a handball offense.
What happened: Atlético Madrid defender Hancko appeared to trip Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze in the penalty area, with referee Makkelie pointing to the spot, awarding a penalty to the Gunners. Only for VAR and the referee to overturn the award following an on-field review.
VAR recommended an on-field review where, having viewed the replays for himself, the referee agreed with the VAR and disallowed the penalty, restarting the game with a dropped ball to the Atlético keeper Jan Oblak.
The on-field referee had a good view of the incident and was positive with his body language and original decision.
VAR decision: Another relatively quick review by VAR in this event, and on this occasion, he felt there was a clear error in a penalty not being awarded on the field. VAR Higler felt that White’s arm was in an unnatural position relative to his body movement, and regardless of the deflection off the defender’s shin, which was negligible, he felt this met the criteria for a handball offense. Having viewed the replays for himself, Makkelie agreed with the VAR interpretation and gave Atlético Madrid a penalty.
Verdict / Insight: A clearer decision than the contentious penalty awarded to Paris Saint-Germain last night, given White’s arm position when the ball struck him. The Arsenal defender’s arm was outstretched, away from his body, and clearly making his body shape unnaturally bigger, leaving him vulnerable to being penalized for a handball offense. The deflection in this situation is irrelevant. It was negligible, barely affecting the trajectory of the ball, but the position of the arm negated any deflection considerations. A penalty was the correct decision.
ESPN FC crew back VAR call to overturn Arsenal’s penalty (1:41)Stewart Robson, Frank Leboeuf and Craig Burley agree with the VAR intervention that prevented a second Arsenal penalty against Atletico Madrid. (1:41)
Stewart Robson, Frank Leboeuf and Craig Burley agree with the VAR intervention that prevented a second Arsenal penalty against Atletico Madrid. (1:41)
ARSENAL STRIKE FIRST ⚡️Viktor Gyökeres clinical from the spot to put the English side in front 💥 pic.twitter.com/IBVZRLgvQC
WHAT A HIT 😤💥Julián Álvarez fires in the equalizer for Atlético 🎯 pic.twitter.com/peQF9AJ7SO
NO PENALTY ❌VAR saves Atlético from a third penalty in this match 👀 pic.twitter.com/M86rgRf4DG
Referee: Danny Makkelie VAR: Dennis Higler Time: 37 minutes Incident: Penalty awarded to Arsenal
Time: 81 minutes Incident: VAR overturn; Arsenal had a penalty award overturned via a VAR review.
In my opinion, both officials were incorrect, and Arsenal should feel aggrieved by the outcome.