Paris Saint-Germain were staring the UEFA Europa League in the face. However, the capital club was awarded a penalty kick chance in stoppage time, which Kylian Mbappé converted.
However, there’s plenty of controversy regarding the referee’s decision to award that call. Newcastle were close to a 1-0 win and securing all three points. Meanwhile, PSG was waving goodbye to the knockout stages.
The call didn’t sit well with English pundits Jermaine Jenas and Ally McCoist, who blasted the decision.
“I think it’s a shocker,” Jenas said on TNT Sport (h/t talkSPORT). “The referee had such a good game but he caved really. For that to happen, in that moment like that, after Newcastle performed the way they did, it doesn’t feel right. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
Jermaine Jenas watching that 97th minute penalty decision unfold on the touchline in Paris 😤#UCL | @jjenas8 pic.twitter.com/S2u3fiqjwD
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 28, 2023
McCoist followed Jenas’ remarks by saying: “It’s bordering on a robbery. If I was playing, I’d have a real feeling of injustice. It comes off Livramento’s chest and hits his elbow. That is absolutely never a penalty. If we’re giving a penalty for that, then it is a disgrace.”
Nonetheless, the Parisians still control their destiny. A win on the road puts them in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Still, it will be a challenging task for PSG. The Ligue 1 side have yet to win any away games, so defeating the Bundesliga club is complicated.
Mbappé and Lucas Hernandez have touched on the approach the squad must have. It will be interesting to see how PSG comes out knowing what’s at stake for them.
