Article by Claudiu Badea – published Wednesday, April 16, 2025 23:16 / Updated Wednesday, April 16, 2025 23:27
Ovidiu Burcă (45 years old) was present in the GSP Live Special show and commented on the controversial phases that happened in the first half of Real Madrid – Arsenal.
The first half of Real Madrid – Arsenal offered more controversial phases than occasions. In the 13th minute, Saka missed a punishment blow, after Merino was pulled into Asencio, following a corner kick. 11 minutes later, Mbappe forced a contact with Rice in the box. Initially, the “central” gave a penalty, but turned its decision.
Ovidiu Burcă: “I was impressed by the personality of the referee”
“In the first phase, I think it was an obvious penalty for Arsenal. It was a clear hold of Asencio. At such free blows or corners, it is allowed to be in fighting with the one who attacks, But never hold him by the shirt.
As Saka was approaching the ball, I realized that there was something irregular. From a psychological point of view, he showed us that he was not sure what he wanted to do.
On the other side, I was impressed by the personality and courage of the “central” to return the decision after seeing the phase. He realized he was wrong at the initial moment. It has been seen that Mbappe forced the contact, “said Ovidiu Burcă, at GSP LIVE Special.
Photo gallery »Controversial decision in Real Madrid – Arsenal: Was it or not a penalty at the Mbappe – Rice duel?
Pavel Fernandez, the arbitration expert of the brand, argues that the final decision taken by Letxier, not dictating a penalty, was the correct one: “The English is left on the French, but the contact is oblique. The striker forces the fall. I do not understand why he took so long.”
Iturralde gonzalez, former international referee, specialist for AS.com, had the same opinion: “Rice puts his hand on Mbappe, but he does not pull it. There is nothing there, there is no penalty”
