Insistent Jesus Gil Manzano reckoned Bayern Munich star Dayot Upamecano acted in a “fair manner” during a major VAR flashpoint at Celtic Park.
The Spaniard rejected his VAR officials after he was sent to the monitor for a penalty check after the France international clumsily landed on Celtic star Arne Engels’ foot during a breathless Champions League playoff clash. But Manzano wasn’t buying it and felt vindicated after a lengthy check of the monitor. TNT Sports, via UEFA revealed the ref’s reason: “The Bayern Munich player [Upamecano] played the ball in a fair manner before the contact between the players.”
And that was backed up by Joe Hart as the Celtic hero insisted the whistler was bang on the money. He said: I think Dayot Upamecano got enough of the ball first. I think that’s the right call.” But that wasn’t a view shared by Pat Nevin, despite the official verdict from the governing body. The former Chelsea star said: “That huge amount of time, considering Dayot Upamecano stood on Arne Engels’ foot in the box. I’m surprised by that. It doesn’t matter if you kick the ball away, you’re not allowed to kick people in the box. Them’s the rules.”
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