Exclusive: FIFA insider slams VAR after ‘shocker’ claim in Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Keith Hackett has hit out at the officials over one incident during the wild Champions League clash between Arsenal and Real Madrid.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that VAR should only intervene on clear and obvious errors after checking for a handball against Raul Asencio in the first half and needlessly impacting the flow of the game.
Arsenal turned in an excellent performance to beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of the quarter final tie between two sides.
However, there was one moment in the first half where that raised plenty of eyebrows due to the actions of those in the VAR booth.
Raul Asencio handball check baffles most
While Declan Rice two free kicks for Arsenal would eventually steal the headlines, the first half had ended goalless, with the Gunners having been rightly denied a penalty.
After Gabriel Martinelli had broken into the left-hand side of the Real Madrid penalty inside the opening exchanges, before pulling the ball back to Rice, whose first time shot was blocked at point-blank range by the arm of Asencio.
| Arsenal last five games | Result |
| PSV (H) | Drew 2-2 |
| Chelsea (H) | Won 1-0 |
| Fulham (H) | Won 2-1 |
| Everton (A) | Drew 1-1 |
| Real Madrid (H) | Won 3-0 |
That then led to a long VAR check, before the was eventually deemed not to be worthy of the award of a spot kick.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Paul Merson was annoyed that there had even been a check for an Arsenal penalty, given Asencio had no chance to get his arm out of the way, branding the hold-up a “shocker”.
Now, Hackett has backed up that very opinion, criticising VAR for getting involved when it was not necessary to do so.
Keith Hackett fumes over Arsenal VAR check
After being asked by Football Insider what he made of that check by VAR for handball against Asencio and a potential penalty for Arsenal, the former referee said:
“I agree with Paul Merson this is not handball and should not have been reviewed. Poor intervention by VAR. The ball struck the player who arm was in a natural position.
“I wish VAR would stick to the criteria and only intervene on clear and obvious errors. This type of intervention impacts on the flow of the game.”
Arsenal will look to secure their place in the semi finals of the Champions League when they travel to the Bernabeu next Wednesday (16 April).