UEFA’s position on the controversial handball incident during the Arsenal vs Real Madrid match has come to light after VAR chose not to award a penalty.

UEFA’s perspective on the contentious handball incident during Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid has now been clarified.

In Tuesday night’s first leg at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal were denied a penalty in the first half when Declan Rice’s shot struck the arm of Madrid defender Raul Asencio. Following a VAR review, official Bastian Dankert upheld the original on-field decision and play resumed without a penalty.

Former referee Mark Clattenburg, speaking on Amazon Prime’s coverage, outlined the key differences between UEFA and Premier League interpretations of handball. He explained, “I’d be amazed if that was given. The distance was very short and the defender didn’t deliberately make himself bigger.”

Clattenburg continued: “UEFA applies different criteria compared to the Premier League. They tend to be stricter in punishing handballs, and if the arm is outstretched, they usually lean towards awarding a penalty. But in this case, I don’t think it was a penalty.”

On BBC Radio 5 Live, former England international Matt Upson backed the decision, stating: “That’s ridiculous. Asencio was only a yard away when the ball hit his hand—it’s not a penalty.”

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer also agreed, telling Amazon Prime: “I’d be amazed if that’s given. His arm is down—definitely not a penalty for me.”

Arsenal later took the lead in the second half with a brilliant free-kick from Declan Rice.