FIFA has officially announced the dismissal of the officials and referees from the recent Real Madrid vs Arsenal match. This decision comes after the referee took five minutes to come to a decision following a dangerous tackle
A significant shift in momentum took place during the opening half of the Champions League quarter-final second leg clash between Arsenal and Real Madrid, when VAR stepped in to reverse a penalty decision initially given in favor of the Spanish side. The moment in question occurred in the 23rd minute, as referee Francois Letexier initially judged that Declan Rice had fouled Kylian Mbappe inside the area, leading to the award of a penalty and a yellow card for Rice.
After an extensive five-minute VAR check, Letexier changed his ruling, cancelling both the penalty and the caution shown to Rice. This crucial change not only removed a potential goal-scoring chance for Real Madrid, but also prevented Rice from facing a suspension that would have kept him out of the semi-final first leg if Arsenal were to progress.
The VAR examination assessed the play from various perspectives, even considering a possible offside, before concluding that no foul had been committed by Rice. UEFA later confirmed the call, stating the penalty was withdrawn as Rice did not commit an infringement.
The lengthy VAR procedure drew criticism from TNT Sports pundits Ally McCoist and Rio Ferdinand, who voiced displeasure with the way the process unfolded. McCoist, in particular, expressed clear relief at the reversal, labeling the original decision as questionable and glad that Rice was not booked. “I’m putting my cards on the table right now – I am delighted to see that decision,” McCoist said, highlighting the importance of the VAR intervention.
That moment definitely stirred up plenty of debate — and rightly so. The initial call looked soft at best, and VAR taking its time to examine every angle actually worked in favor of justice for once. Declan Rice would’ve been harshly punished had that penalty stood, especially considering there was no clear infringement.
McCoist’s reaction summed up what a lot of fans felt: frustration with the inconsistency, but also relief that the right decision was eventually made. And Rio Ferdinand’s critique of the process reflects a broader concern — that VAR needs to be quicker and more transparent.
It’s a good example of how VAR *can* work, but also a reminder that the communication and pace of decisions still need serious improvement. Were you watching live? What did you think when the ref first pointed to the spot?
