The Arsenal-Atletico Madrid Champions League semi-final second leg was a tense affair, with the outcome hinging on refereeing decisions. The Spanish media has been particularly vocal in its criticism of the officials, with a focus on the performance of referee Daniel Siebert and the VAR team.
One of the key moments came in the 44th minute when Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock for Arsenal. However, the Spanish press has been quick to point out that earlier in the game, Antoine Griezmann appeared to be fouled by Riccardo Calafiori, but the VAR officials did not award a penalty. This decision has been heavily criticized, with Mundo Deportivo stating that the replays clearly show that Calafiori committed a clear foul, and a penalty should have been awarded.
The Spanish media has also taken issue with the performance of Siebert, who was previously known for his quick decisions. They argue that he failed to call a clear penalty for a foul by Calafiori on Griezmann, and that the VAR officials did not review an offside call that went against Atletico in the first half. The criticism from the Spanish press has been particularly harsh, with AS describing Siebert as 'mad, bad, and dangerous', and Mundo Deportivo suggesting that the tool was supposed to be there to avoid errors like this, but it failed to do so.
The Spanish media's reaction highlights the tension that can arise when refereeing decisions go against a team's hopes and expectations. It also underscores the importance of VAR technology in modern football, and the potential for it to be both a boon and a bane for teams and fans alike. The criticism from the Spanish press serves as a reminder that even in the most prestigious of competitions, the human element of refereeing can still be a source of controversy and debate.
