UEFA gave the verdict for Istvan Kovacs: did the Romanian make a mistake or not in the most important phase in Liverpool

The phase in which Istvan Kovacs was the protagonist went around the world, as it took place in the most anticipated duel on Tuesday. In the 30th minute, Kovacs gave Liverpool a free kick on the edge of the box. He considered that Tchouameni fouled the shot sent by Szoboszlai.

The VAR referees saw that the action took place in the box, and the Romanian was called to the monitor. He analyzed the phase and decided that the Frenchman had not committed a foul. If he thought it was punishable, he would have given a penalty, because it happened on the 16-meter line. The whole analysis took 4 minutes.

What UEFA wrote about the decision of Istvan Kovacs from Liverpool – Real Madrid

In a column in which the “hottest” phases analyzed with the help of VAR are analyzed, those from UEFA gave credit to the Romanian referee.

“Minute 34: it's not hent. The ball touched the left arm of the Real Madrid number 14, but it was close to the body in a natural position“, appeared on the official website.

Contacted by GSP, Marius Avram, former international referee, ruled Kovacs right. “He was called to show him that it is not a punishable handball, because first it comes to his leg, then to the hand close to his body, which the player pulls. Being in the penalty area, he had to call him to show him the above elements. The final decision is the correct one.

If those in the video operating room had considered that the henchman was punishable, they would have told him directly that he was in the punishment area without calling him to watch the phase”, said Marius Avram, for GSP.