29 November 2023 , 08:28
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Newcastle striker Callum Wilson has been left with egg on his face after his comments about the handball rule came back to bite him against Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time, allowing Kylian Mbappe to score from the spot to earn a 1-1 draw in the Champions League. Referee Szymon Marciniak initially waved away PSG's appeals for a handball against Tino Livramento, but changed his mind after VAR sent him to the pitchside monitor.
The ball struck Livramento’s elbow after first striking his chest and Newcastle felt aggrieved to have lost two points in such a contentious manner. The draw leaves them in third in Group F, needing to better PSG’s result in the final fixture to go through to the knockout stages.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer was among those to fume at the decision, calling it “a load of s***” in an angry tweet. Manager Eddie Howe was left aghast at the call and suggested that the pressure of the situation may have influenced Marciniak.
Wilson was not involved in the game because of injury, but was still dragged into the reaction due to some eye-catching quotes he gave back in September 2020. The Newcastle striker was quizzed after netting a 97th-minute penalty against Tottenham following a contentious handball by Eric Dier.
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Callum Wilson welcomed the contentious handball rule in 2020 (Sky Sports)HAVE YOUR SAY! What is your take on the Tino Livramento handball decision? Comment below.
“It is absolutely marvellous for me, it's got me on the scoresheet today,” he told Sky Sports when asked about the handball rule. “Long may it continue to be honest. Obviously when it goes for you it’s nice and when it goes against you it’s frustrating.”
That take has been dredged up by Spurs fans with long memories, who are still annoyed at the call. Dier was penalised after a header from Andy Carroll struck him just below the armpit. Carroll was the only Newcastle player to appeal for a penalty, but VAR intervened to hand the away side a shot at a point.
PSG were given a penalty for a handball by Tino Livramento (James Gill/Getty Images)There are clear parallels with the Livramento decision and some fans clearly think karma was in action on Tuesday night. Shearer wasn’t the only person left furious with the decision. Former Magpies Michael Owen tweeted: “Never in a million years is that a penalty. We are further away from applying consistency to the handball rule than we’ve ever been.”
TNT Sports pundit Jermaine Jenas said: "I think that’s a shocker from the referee. He had such a good game and to give that right at the end, he’s caved to be honest with you.” Ally McCoist on commentary ranted: "That is a shambles! Honestly, that’s not on. It hits his chest, goes off his left elbow. If that’s a penalty, we may as well give the game up!”