Bukayo Saka’s late penalty claim during Arsenal v Bayern Munich very much became a talking point in the aftermath of the game.
Saka, at first glance, appeared to be clattered by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer but the referee didn’t given the decision before VAR backed him up as well.
On second look, there was an element of Saka throwing his leg out towards Neuer and in the end, it was reason enough for the penalty not to be given.
Of course, the Saka call has had plenty of attention since.
Jamie Carragher was among those to praise the decision from the referee, while Micah Richards believed Saka deserved the penalty.
Naturally, you’d expect those with a close affinity to Arsenal to side with Saka and the Gunners.
However, speaking to the Planet Premier League Podcast, former Gunner Cesc Fabregas has shared a surprising opinion on the matter.
Cesc Fabregas shares his verdict on whether Bukayo Saka should have had a penalty v Bayern Munich
The decision has remained a talking point all week among the Arsenal fans.
However, rather than directly back up Saka, Fabregas has actually suggested that the Arsenal winger did indeed try to win a penalty, albeit he believes modern rules dictate the decision should have been given.
“I think the second one, as a player I know exactly what he’s trying to do. He sticks his leg out and he looks for the penalty. So for me, knowing what he tried to do, it’s not a penalty,” Fabregas said.
“However, nowadays with the VAR and how it’s done, it’s a clear penalty because once the goalkeeper touches the player and he goes down, it’s a penalty, this is what they told us and what we know. But knowing what I know, naturally for me, it’s not a penalty. He’s gone to Neuer’s leg not Neuer going to him. But in today’s football, it is a penalty.”
Saka was not fouled, end of
Fabregas’ answer here is probably one of the better ones we’ve heard so far on the Saka penalty decision.
But at the end of the day, Saka was simply not fouled by Manuel Neuer. The Englishman did indeed throw a leg out to try and win the decision and the referee was wise to it.
Whether or not the VAR would have changed the decision had the referee given it in the first place, is open to another debate.
But for once, the referees got it right here and they deserve praise for doing so.
The post 'As a player I know': Cesc Fabregas shares surprising verdict on Bukayo Saka penalty call v Bayern Munich appeared first on TBR Football.