UEFA's telling Champions League response to Newcastle United v PSG controversy

The officials at the centre of Paris Saint-Germain's controversial penalty against Newcastle United have been stood down from Champions League action this week.

The Magpies 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, which Kylian Mbappe converted to cancel out Alexander Isak's opener.

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 overturned his decision at the VAR pitchside monitor.

A UEFA statement released in April this year 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 VAR official who advised Marciniak to review the decision, Thomas Kwiatkowski, was due to officiate Real Sociedad versus RB Salzburg the day after but was removed.

And tellingly, all of the officials involved in Newcastle's 1-1 draw versus PSG last month have not been appointed for any matchday six fixtures.

The error could still yet cost Newcastle millions. Instead of being in control of their own last 16 destiny, the Magpies need to beat AC Milan tonight and hope PSG drop points away to Borussia Dortmund.

Alternatively, a win or draw would guarantee United a spot in the Europa League, whereas a defeat would see them exit Europe altogether.

Dutch official Danny Makkelie has been appointed as referee for Newcastle v Milan. He will be assisted by Hessel Steegstra and Jan De Vries with Allard Lindhout as fourth official. Rob Dieperink will be video assistant referee, assisted by Clay Ruperti.

Interestingly, Makkelie is also a part-time police inspector and has plenty of experience officiating across Europe.

In 2020 he took charge of the Europa League final. He has also refereed at Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup and was on VAR for the 2018 World Cup final and 2019 Champions League final.