Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has strongly criticised the decision to overturn Arsenal’s late penalty against Atletico Madrid, questioning the use of VAR and suggesting that external pressure may have influenced the referee’s final call.
The controversial moment has remained a major talking point following Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid, with Keown adding his voice to the growing criticism surrounding the decision-making process.
Speaking in his post-match analysis, the former Gunners defender argued that the VAR intervention did not meet the required standard to overturn the original on-field decision.
“I don’t think it’s clear and obvious,” Keown said when discussing the penalty reversal. “The referee should be allowed to referee the game, VAR has got too involved, that’s NOT what we wanted with VAR.”
Keown’s comments reflect a wider concern shared by many analysts and supporters who believe that VAR has increasingly shifted control away from match officials. The “clear and obvious” threshold has been a central principle of VAR implementation, but debates continue about how consistently that standard is applied in high-pressure situations.
The former Arsenal centre-back also directed criticism toward Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, suggesting that his animated behaviour on the touchline may have contributed to the referee reviewing the incident.
“Diego Simeone though, his actions on the sideline, the drama he creates, the referee buckled under the pressure,” Keown added. “I don’t even think he should’ve been made to go to the screen.”
The overturned penalty remains one of the defining moments of the tie, with many believing it significantly impacted Arsenal’s opportunity to gain an advantage late in the match.
