Shay Given makes Thierry Henry joke as he rages over Newcastle decision in controversial PSG draw
Newcastle can feel aggrieved they didn't beat PSG in Paris after a superb defending display was broken in stoppage time.
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given gave his thoughts on what was a spirited performance from the Magpies in Paris on Tuesday evening - adding that handball controversy in the French capital isn't alien to him.
Tino Livramento was harshly judged to have handled in the area by VAR, despite the ball clearly hitting his chest first before brushing his elbow after Ousmane Dembele had crossed onto the midriff of the summer signing in the dying embers of the 1-1 draw. It's a decision that has left not only Newcastle fans, but football fans in general, dismayed at the decision as VAR continues to ravage the game on domestic and continental levels.
But for Given, it's not the first time he's been robbed of a refereeing decision via handball in the capital. Fans will remember Ireland's play-off qualifier against France for the 2010 World Cup, where Thierry Henry blatantly handled to set William Gallas up for the winner at the Stade de France against the Boys in Green to book their place in South Africa. And Given alluded to that to portray his sorrow for Newcastle after more dodgy refereeing over the channel made their Champions League dream even tougher to comprehend.
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He posted on X: "What a performance from the toon @NUFC", followed by two clapping emojis. "Terrible decision to give a penalty, not the 1st time I’ve left Paris with a controversial handball decision".
The result leaves Newcastle on five points, ahead of AC Milan in third on goal difference and two points behind PSG, where otherwise they would've been ahead of the French outfit by one point.
Now, it means that they must beat AC Milan at St James' Park in December AND hope already qualified Borussia Dortmund avoid defeat against Kylian Mbappe and co on the same evening if they are to finish in the top two, whilst a draw would only be enough to qualify for the Europa League in third place.