Fans stunned by VAR call as PSG awarded controversial stoppage time penalty vs Newcastle

Paris Saint-Germain were awarded a late penalty against Newcastle courtesy of a controversial VAR call.

In the 94 minute with Newcastle leading 1-0, PSG star Ousmane Dembele saw his cross strike the chest of Tino Livramento before hitting the full-back's lower arm in the box.

The PSG players subsequently surrounded Szymon Marciniak claiming a penalty, and after being called to the screen by his VAR officials the Polish referee awarded a penalty.

Kylian Mbappe went on to dispatch the spot-kick to snatch a 1-1 draw from the jaws of defeat.

After the game a furious Alan Shearer took to X, formally Twitter, to have his say on the controversial penalty decision.

A foul-mouthed Shearer said: "Do me a f***ing favour man. What a load of s***. #VAR"

Jeff Stelling responded: "Officials ruining the game Al. Makes me feel like stopping watching."

Prominent X account HLTCO added: "There’s literally nothing he could do to avoid the ball hitting his arm given how it’s come off his chest.

"If that’s the bar for giving a penalty, it’s a shambles."

Tifo Football's JJ Bull joked: "I’m glad the referees are on PSG’s side, they need all the help they can get." He then added: "Imagine thinking that’s a penalty after reviewing it with video evidence".

Sky Sports' Joe Tomlinson said: "Never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever a penalty.

"What a disgraceful decision… buckling under pressure totally."

Elsewhere in the group Borussia Dortmund secured a 3-1 win over AC Milan at the San Siro to qualify for the knock out stages.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are in third place with their fate out of their hands, with one group game remaining.

Even if Eddie Howe's side beat AC Milan at St James' Park on the final matchday, PSG know they will be in the knockouts by matching their result in Dortmund.

However, a win for Newcastle and a draw for PSG would see the Magpies qualify courtesy of a better head-to-head against the Ligue 1 side.

Topics: Football, Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe, Newcastle United, VAR

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.