UEFA make swift Champions League decision after Newcastle United v PSG controversy

The VAR official at the centre of Paris Saint-Germain's controversial penalty against Newcastle United has been stood down from Champions League duty this evening.

Eddie Howe side's were moments away from earning a famous victory at the Parc des Princes when PSG were awarded a spot-kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

A cross by Ousmane Dembele hit the chest of Tino Livramento before deflecting onto the full-back's elbow. Referee Szymon Marciniak initially waved away the home side's appeals but was sent over to the VAR pitchside monitor.

The VAR official who advised Marciniak to review the decision, Thomas Kwiatkowski, was due to officiate Real Sociedad versus RB Salzburg tonight but has been removed in a clear sign that a penalty shouldn't be awarded.

United boss Eddie Howe admitted he felt a sense of injustice at the decision, and a statement from a UEFA board meeting in April 2023 will no doubt add salt to the wounds.

A statement read: "In their guidelines for next season, the Board recommends that UEFA should clarify that no handball offence should be called on a player if the ball is previously deflected from his own body and, in particular, when the ball does not go toward the goal."

The meeting was attended by Eric Abidal, Rafael Benítez, Fabio Capello, Petr Cech, Luís Figo, Robbie Keane, Jurgen Klinsmann, Ronald Koeman, Philipp Lahm, Michael Laudrup, Paolo Maldini, Roberto Martínez, Juan Mata, Predrag Mijatovic, Gareth Southgate, Patrick Vieira, Rudi Voller, Javier Zanetti and Zinedine Zidane.

Kylian Mbappe's late goal means Newcastle's hopes of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League are no longer in their own hands.

Howe's men must now better PSG result during the final round of Group F fixtures, with United at home to AC Milan and PSG making the visit to Borussia Dortmund next month.