Manchester City fans have been left fuming over a handball decision during their Champions League clash against Red Bull Leipzig.
On Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola’s side arrived in Germany to face Leipzig without the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte.
However, the reigning champions of England took no time to get going in the Red Bull Arena as they dominated preceding from the first minute.
City eventually took the lead thanks to a well-taken goal by Riyad Mahrez in the 27th minute.
In the second half, Leipzig turned up a level and were creating much more than they did in the first period.
Their pressure turned into a goal as Josko Gvardiol headed in the equaliser with 20 minutes left to play.
With the game tied at 1-1 deep into extra time, there was a very controversial decision as the ball appears to hit the hand of Leipzig defender Benjamin Henrichs, which the referee didn’t spot
City fans were left fuming.
One said: “Disgusting by UEFA Clear handball not penalized. Just get rid of VAR. Useless.”
Another tweeted: “Was that handball even checked by VAR?”
A third person added: “Benjamin Henrichs has thrown not one, but two hands at the ball inside the box. That is as blatant a penalty as you’re ever likely to see.”
Someone else wrote: “What is VAR for exactly? A blatant handball in the area and it’s just totally ignored???”
Former Premier League referee Peter Walton claimed in the BT Sport studio that VAR did not even check the incident.
He said: “I thought there was a handball offence there. The arm is in an unnatural position for that phase of play, the ball clearly strikes it from the angles we are seeing but the VAR did not check it.
“I have a monitor linked with UEFA that tells me when VAR are checking incidents. This particular incident wasn’t checked and I am surprised it wasn’t.
“If there’s an angle we’re not seeing where it strikes his shoulder, then I understand that. I haven’t seen that angle, all I’ve seen is what we’ve seen today and, for me, that was a handball offence.”
As a result of the 1-1 draw, City will have some work to do when the second leg takes place at the Etihad Stadium in a few weeks’ time.
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