Arsenal ‘Dihukum!’ – Samir Nasri Criticizes Referees, Denies Penalty Decision Was a ‘Scandal’
The 2022-2023 UEFA Champions League final, which saw Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeat Arsenal 1-0 in a contentious encounter at Wembley Stadium, has reignited debates about officiating in elite football. Samir Nasri, the former Arsenal and France midfielder, has publicly criticized the referee’s decisions, calling the match “a punishment” for the Gunners. However, Nasri later denied that the penalty decision in extra time constituted a “scandal,” highlighting the polarizing nature of the game.
The match, contested on June 10, 2023, marked Arsenal’s first Champions League final in 19 years. PSG, led by Kylian Mbappé and a late goal from a controversial penalty, secured their first European Cup. The refereeing decisions, particularly the awarding of the penalty to PSG in the 117th minute, became a focal point of criticism from Arsenal players and fans. Nasri, who played 121 games for Arsenal between 2011 and 2015, voiced his frustrations in a Goal.com interview, stating, “Arsenal was punished. The referee made decisions that changed the game.”
The Controversial Penalty: A Defining Moment
The pivotal moment came in extra time when PSG was awarded a penalty for a handball by Arsenal defender William Saliba. The decision, reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), was upheld, leading to a 12-yard spot for Mbappé, who converted it to give PSG the lead. Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno saved the initial shot, but the rebound was swept in by Neymar, sealing the victory.
Nasri, who now works as a football analyst, argued that the penalty was a “mistake” but stopped short of labeling it a “scandal.” “I don’t think it was a scandal, but the referee’s decisions were biased,” he said. “It felt like the game was decided by the officials, not the players.”
UEFA’s official match report, however, confirmed that the handball was “clear and obvious,” with the VAR system used to validate the decision. The ruling was consistent with FIFA’s guidelines on handball offenses, which state that “a player is penalized if they score a goal with their hand or arm, or if they play the ball with their hand or arm deliberately.”
Gunners’ Struggles and the Weight of History
Arsenal’s journey to the final was historic, as they became the first English side to reach the Champions League final without winning the Premier League in the same season. Manager Mikel Arteta, who had guided the club to their first Premier League title in 2020, faced intense scrutiny after the loss. In a post-match press conference, Arteta acknowledged the referee’s role but emphasized the team’s resilience. “We gave everything, but the decisions hurt us,” he said. “We have to accept it and move forward.”
The match also highlighted the psychological toll of high-stakes football. Arsenal’s Gabriel, who missed a crucial penalty in the 78th minute, was consoled by PSG’s Marquinhos before the final whistle. The moment, captured in viral footage, underscored the human element of the game. “It’s tough for any player to miss a penalty, especially in a final,” Marquinhos told Foot Mercato. “But football is cruel sometimes.”
PSG’s Triumph and the Aftermath
PSG’s victory marked their
