Mark Clattenburg Explains Why Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Wasn’t Awarded Penalty vs Arsenal

Mark Clattenburg has provided an explanation as to why Paris Saint-Germain weren’t awarded a penalty during their Champions League semi-final clash with Arsenal after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was brought down inside the Gunners’ box. The two sides met at the Emirates on Tuesday night in the first leg of their semi-final match up and the visitors came flying out of the gates. Ousmane Demebele scored a sublime effort inside four minutes to put the French side in front early. The forward is in blistering form this season and is currently one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or award later this year and he hurt Arsenal early.

It immediately gave Mikel Arteta’s men a tall task if they’re to overcome their opponents and make it to the Champions League final for the first time since 2006. Still, things could have been even worse for the Gunners had the former Napoli man been awarded a spot-kick shortly after the opening goal.



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Kvaratskhelia danced into the Arsenal area and appeared to be dragged to the ground by Jurrien Timber. Replays showed the defender had his arms wrapped around the Georgian international, but no penalty was given. Fans online couldn’t believe no action was taken, but Clattenburg explained why during the Amazon Prime coverage of the contest.

Clattenburg Accused Kvaratskhelia of Simulating

He said his arm placement insinuated the fall wasn’t natural



Shortly after the incident, former Premier League referee Clattenburg joined the commentary team covering the game on Amazon Prime and offered an explanation as to why a penalty wasn’t awarded. He revealed the forward’s positioning and the way he went to ground didn’t look natural. He then went on to admit he thought the PSG man should have been booked for his reaction. Speaking during the game, he said:

“I just don’t think it was a penalty. What the referee’s looking at is, he’s looking to see if this fall is natural. The attacker puts his arm in the air and that’s usually a tell tale sign that he’s simulating, he’s trying to tell the referee it’s a foul. What I didn’t like was his reaction after the contact. Running at the referee, he’s fully deserving of a yellow card for dissent.”

Fans online aren’t necessarily convinced, but Arsenal will be relieved.