The incident occurred late in the game after Leipzig equalised with Josko Gvardiol’s header in the 70th minute and the visitors were looking for a winner in the leg.
At RB Leipzig’s Champions League match against Manchester City in the first leg of the Round of 16 on Wednesday at the Red Bull Arena, Benjamin Henrichs’ handball incident generated controversy.
The event happened towards the end of the contest, when Leipzig was searching for a victory in the leg after Josko Gvardiol’s header tied the score in the 70th minute. In the penalty area, the ball struck Henrich’s hand, but the referee failed to notice it. City would have received a penalty if the referee had been alert.
Former Premier League referee Peter Walton in the studio said, “I thought there was a handball offence there. The arm is in an unnatural position for that phase of play, the ball clearly strikes it from the angles we are seeing but the VAR did not check it.”
“I have a monitor linked with UEFA that tells me when VAR is checking incidents. This particular incident wasn’t checked and I am surprised it wasn’t,” he added.
“If there’s an angle we’re not seeing where it strikes his shoulder, then I understand that. I haven’t seen that angle, all I’ve seen is what we’ve seen today and, for me, that was a handball offence,” Waltons said.
However, at the end of 90 minutes, Manchester City was held to a 1-1 draw. Riyad Maharez opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half. “In general I am really pleased,” said coach Pep Guardiola. “I had a feeling the game would be decided in the second leg. I have a lot of respect for Leipzig.”
