Eddie Howe has blamed “extreme pressure” from Paris Saint-Germain fans for the referee’s decision to award a controversial penalty against Newcastle.
Newcastle led 1-0 against PSG in stoppage time and were trying to hold on to a result that would have boosted their Champions League hopes. However, a penalty was awarded after the ball bounced off Tino Livramento’s chest and onto his hand, and Mbappé carried out the penalty, with Howe placing the blame not on the officials, but on the atmosphere at the Parc of Princes.
This result dashed Newcastle’s hopes of progression. Borussia Dortmund are already qualified and PSG will only need a point against the German club to progress. The Magpies must beat Milan and hope Dortmund beat PSG. If Howe’s team loses, they also risk not participating in the Europa League by finishing in last place in the group, and being excluded from Europe altogether.
Howe was asked about this decision and suggested that the referee was influenced by public pressure: ” I’m still getting used to the idea. I feel very defeated, but at the same time very satisfied with what the players gave today. Their commitment, their execution… We were unlucky. We were unlucky in the end. I didn’t think there was a penalty. What is not taken into account in replays is how quickly the ball goes. It hits the chest first. If he touches his hands first, there is no penalty because he is very close. But the argument is more convincing. There is no penalty if the ball first touches his chest and then his hand which is low. I have no right to summarize the situation. I can’t say what’s in my heart, obviously (I’d be in trouble). I thought the referee had a good match up until that point. He had been strong.
