Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer expressed his strong displeasure over Paris Saint-Germain’s contentious 98th-minute penalty during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw, labeling it as ‘unacceptable’ in a passionate outburst. The Magpies were on the verge of securing a historic victory at the Parc des Princes, with Alexander Isak’s first-half goal seemingly enough for Eddie Howe’s team. However, controversy arose in the dying moments when VAR intervened, deeming Tino Livramento to have handled Ousmane Dembele’s cross. Referee Szymon Marciniak eventually awarded a penalty, denying Newcastle a crucial win.
Shearer commended the team’s outstanding away performance but vehemently criticized the decision, stating it marred an otherwise commendable effort. To advance to the Champions League last 16, Newcastle must now defeat AC Milan in their final group match on December 13, while also relying on PSG failing to win against Borussia Dortmund.
Manager Eddie Howe asserted that PSG players influenced the referee’s decision and described the penalty call as ‘poor’ in his post-match press conference. He emphasized the complexity of the situation, citing the speed and ricochet of the ball, and expressed frustration over the timing of the decision.
Former Newcastle player Jermaine Jenas, commenting on TNT Sports, denounced the penalty as one of the most disgraceful decisions he had witnessed. He criticized the referee for succumbing to pressure, expressing the feeling of being cheated after a hard-fought performance by Newcastle.
Shearer, in another incident, delivered an explicit response when informed about the expected goals (xG) for Alejandro Garnacho’s overhead kick against Everton. Dismissing the significance of xG, he labeled it as ‘a pile of sh*t’ and questioned the statistic’s credibility.
In a separate episode, unsavory scenes unfolded in France as a group of Paris Saint-Germain ultras attacked a pub filled with Newcastle United fans. The incident occurred ahead of the crucial Champions League clash between PSG and Newcastle, prompting warnings from local police to consider closing doors early to mitigate the risk of violence.
Heading into the match against PSG, Newcastle faces the imperative of securing at least one point to stay in contention for Champions League qualification. The team, currently third in Group F, trails PSG by one point and Dortmund by two. If Newcastle loses and Dortmund secures at least a point, their Champions League journey will come to an end.
The penalty controversy in the PSG-Newcastle match sparked widespread fury, with Alan Shearer and other pundits vehemently criticizing the decision. Despite a valiant effort by Newcastle, the draw leaves their fate uncertain in the Champions League group stage.
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