Since its introduction to the UEFA Champions League in the 2018-19 season, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has aimed to enhance the accuracy of refereeing decisions in one of football’s most prestigious competitions. However, despite its promise of fairness, VAR has often been at the center of heated debates, with several decisions leaving fans, players, and managers divided.
Below, we explore five of the most controversial VAR decisions in Champions League history, analyzing their impact and the ensuing controversies.
1. Julian Alvarez’s Disallowed Penalty vs. Real Madrid (March 12, 2025)
In a penalty shootout that decided the tie, Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez slipped while taking his shot but still managed to score past Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Initially celebrated, the goal was reviewed by VAR, and referee Szymon Marciniak disallowed it, ruling that Alvarez had touched the ball twice—once with his standing foot and then with his shooting foot—before it entered the net.
The decision hinged on Law 14.1 of the IFAB rules, which prohibits a player from touching the ball twice during a penalty kick. However, replays were inconclusive about whether Alvarez’s standing foot significantly moved the ball, with some arguing it merely brushed the turf. Atletico manager Diego Simeone challenged the call, stating, “The ball didn’t move; it’s not clear he touched it twice.” The decision was pivotal, as Real Madrid went on to win the shootout 4-2, eliminating Atletico.
2. PSG vs. Manchester United: The Late Handball Penalty (March 6, 2019)
In the dying minutes of the match, with PSG leading 3-2 on aggregate, Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot took a shot that struck PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe’s arm. Referee Damir Skomina initially waved play on, but after a VAR review, he awarded a penalty, deeming Kimpembe’s arm to be in an unnatural position. Marcus Rashford converted the penalty, securing a 3-1 victory on the night and advancing United on away goals.
The decision sparked outrage among PSG fans and players, who argued that Kimpembe’s arm movement was a natural reaction to jumping, and the ball’s trajectory was not significantly altered. PSG manager Thomas Tuchel called it “a cruel decision,” while Neymar, sidelined by injury, vented on Instagram, labeling it “a disgrace.” The call was seen as a turning point in the tie, as PSG had dominated much of the match.
3. Tottenham vs. Manchester City: Fernando Llorente’s “Handball” Goal (April 17, 2019)
With the aggregate score tied at 4-4, Tottenham’s Fernando Llorente scored a crucial goal in the 73rd minute off a corner kick. The ball appeared to deflect off his arm before crossing the line, prompting a VAR review. Referee Cuneyt Cakir upheld the goal, ruling that the contact was unintentional and did not warrant disallowance under the handball rules at the time.
Manchester City players and fans were furious, arguing that the ball clearly struck Llorente’s arm, giving Tottenham an unfair advantage. Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, expressed disbelief, saying, “I support VAR, but maybe from one angle it’s handball, maybe from another it’s not.” The decision was particularly contentious because, minutes later, Raheem Sterling’s potential match-winning goal for City was disallowed for an offside in the buildup, compounding City’s frustration.
4. Real Madrid vs. Ajax: Dusan Tadic’s Goal and VAR Confusion (March 5, 2019)
Ajax’s Dusan Tadic scored a stunning goal to make it 3-0 on the night (4-2 on aggregate), but the buildup was reviewed by VAR for a potential offside and a possible foul. The review took several minutes, with referee Felix Brych consulting the pitchside monitor. Ultimately, the goal was allowed, as the ball was deemed not to have gone out of play, and no clear offside or foul was identified.
Real Madrid fans and players argued that the ball had gone out of play before Ajax regained possession, and the lengthy review process disrupted the game’s flow. Manager Santiago Solari called it “confusing,” while Ajax’s dominance was overshadowed by the VAR debate. Critics pointed out that the lack of transparency—fans in the stadium were not shown replays—added to the frustration.
5. PSG vs. Newcastle United: The Stoppage-Time Handball (November 28, 2023)
In the eighth minute of stoppage time, with Newcastle leading 1-0, a cross struck Newcastle defender Tino Livramento’s arm after deflecting off his chest. Referee Szymon Marciniak initially continued play, but after a VAR review prompted by official Tomasz Kwiatkowski, he awarded PSG a penalty. Kylian Mbappe scored, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Newcastle fans and manager Eddie Howe were incensed, arguing that the ball hit Livramento’s chest first, and his arm was in a natural position. Howe called it “a poor decision,” while UEFA’s own handball guidelines—which advise against penalizing deflections—appeared to contradict the call. The fallout was so severe that Kwiatkowski was removed from his next scheduled VAR assignment.