Arsenal's Eberechi Eze denied penalty at Atletico Madrid: UEFA releases statement to explain VAR intervention

UEFA has released a statement to explain why Arsenal had a late penalty overturned in their Champions League semi-final first leg at Atletico Madrid.

Substitute Eberechi Eze initially earned a spot-kick after going down under a challenge from Atletico defender David Hancko after 78 minutes.

Despite contact being made with Eze's foot, the VAR intervened to recommend referee Danny Makkelie review the incident at his on-screen monitor.

After watching multiple replays, Makkelie decided to rule out the penalty-kick, a decision Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta slammed as "completely unacceptable", and the game finished 1-1 ahead of the second leg next Tuesday.

In a brief statement, UEFA explained the decision: "Atleti player, No 17, did not commit a foul on the opponent."