Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Tuesday, 05 May 2026 23:15 / Updated Tuesday, 05 May 2026 23:37
The return of the semi-final of the Champions League between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid had a controversial phase in the 56th minute of the match at the “Emirates Stadium”, in the box of the “gunners”. Antoine Griezmann (35 years old) was stepped on in Arsenal's penalty area by Riccardo Calafiori (23 years old), but the “central” Daniel Siebert did not award a penalty kick for the Iberians, a decision vehemently criticized in the Spanish media.
Atletico Madrid were denied a penalty as the German referee whistled for a foul on Marc Pubill (22) on Gabriel (28), but both Marca and AS.com claim there was no contact between the Atletico and Arsenal defenders.
The Spaniards raged after Atletico Madrid were denied a penalty in their semi-final with Arsenal
Calafiori's foul on Griezmann was obvious, but “central” Daniel Siebert awarded a foul in Madrid's attack.
“WOW! What a parade for Griezmann's shot. The phase ended with a foul committed by Pubill, which looks like it wasn't, but Calafiori's foul on Griezmann is obvious,” Marca journalists noted.
“Controversy in north London! Atletico Madrid called for a penalty after Calafiori stepped on Griezmann's foot. However, the referee called for a foul on Pubill's tackle on Gabriel,” was the conclusion of AS.com.
“The Gunners” were leading the match since the 44th minute, after the goal scored by Bukayo Saka. The round match, played at the “Metropolitano”, ended with the score 1-1, both successes coming from penalty kicks, where Viktor Gyokeres scored for the “gunners” and Julian Alvarez for Atletico Madrid.
In the match played a week ago in Madrid, Arsenal accused a similar phase, which took place in the 79th minute. Then Hancko appeared to step on Eberechi Eze's foot, and the “central” Danny Makkelie initially awarded a penalty, which was later canceled after consulting the VAR room.
