Referee Daniel Siebert has been slammed by Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett for a ‘nonsense’ decision he made during the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal went into the match as the underdogs, but they took an early lead when Kai Havertz slammed the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain were given a golden opportunity to restore parity in the second half when they were awarded a penalty. Ousmane Dembele made no mistake from 12 yards.

Neither side could find a winner as the match went all the way to penalties. The French giants held their nerve in the shootout as they prevailed to retain their title.

Champions League Final Referee Slammed

Siebert has been slammed for prematurely blowing his whistle to signal the end of the first half.

Arsenal were given a corner in the dying embers of the first half. Given Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces, it presented a good opportunity for the Gunners to extend their lead.

However, as Bukayo Saka made his way to the corner flag to take the set-piece, Siebert changed his mind and decided there was no time remaining for the corner to be taken.

Arsenal’s players were incensed by the decision, with Steven Gerrard also calling it ‘madness’. Ex-PGMOL chief Hackett agrees with Gerrard’s take.

Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said: “In Law five, the referee is the sole timekeeper, and his actions for me underpin the need for football to appoint an independent timekeeper.

“Good practice here is to allow play to continue and blow up when the ball is in a neutral position.

Arsenal Should Have Been Awarded Penalty, Says Hackett

Hackett also thinks that Arsenal should have been given a spot-kick in extra-time when Noni Madueke went down under a challenge from Nuno Mendes inside the box.

He said: “The referee was firm in his decision not to award a penalty kick, satisfied that no offence had taken place.

“My first thoughts were that a penalty kick should have been awarded, and I suggest that had the referee pointed to the penalty mark, VAR would not have intervened.

“The referee said no, and VAR, viewing the replays, decided that there was not a clear and obvious error by the match referee to meet the criteria to send the referee to the screen.

“Without question, I think we can all say that we have seen these given. I suspect the referee judged that the Arsenal player was doing the holding.

“Frankly, in these tight decisions, I would like the referee to have a second look to determine the accuracy of such an important call.”

Steven Gerrard criticised one Arsenal player in the aftermath of the Gunners’ Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday night.

Arsenal, who recently secured their first Premier League title since 2004, came agonisingly close to becoming European champions for the first time in their history but lost on penalties to the French outfit.

Mikel Arteta’s side took an early lead in Budapest through Kai Havertz, who produced a stunning finish from an acute angle past goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.

However, current Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele equalised from the penalty spot with 25 minutes left to play, forcing extra-time and then penalties.

While Arsenal’s world-class goalkeeper David Raya produced one save in the shootout from Nuno Mendes, the Premier League side ultimately lost following misses by Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Gerrard Slams Eze’s Penalty Technique as ‘Nonsense’

Liverpool legend Gerrard criticised Eze’s penalty technique while speaking live on TNT Sports. The 27-year-old winger, who is part of Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad for the 2026 World Cup, took an elaborate run-up before hitting his spot-kick wide. Watch Eze’s penalty below:

Gerrard, hero of the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, was quoted by the Mirror as saying: “Penalties are hard enough.

Gerrard later admitted that he respects anyone ‘brave’ enough to step up and take a penalty in those circumstances, but the former England international clearly wasn’t a fan of Eze’s stuttered penalty run-up.

Declan Rice: It’s Gutting to Lose on Penalties

Declan Rice was one of three Arsenal players who successfully converted from the spot during the shootout. The 2026 Ballon d’Or contender admitted “it’s gutting” to lose the Champions League final on penalties.

“We try to take a lot of perspective from how far we’ve come as a group,” Rice said, per ESPN. “It’s been an incredible season – our 63rd game in all competitions tonight – giving it absolutely everything up until this point.

“We took the game to penalties. I know it’s a lottery, but it’s football. You can either win on pens or you lose on pens, and some of the best teams ever have lost on penalties in finals. We were on the receiving end of that tonight. Look, we win together, we lose together.

“I’m so proud of this group and these boys. What a season, it’s been incredible. I can’t speak highly enough of everyone.

“I’m obviously gutted but I’m just trying to take a little bit of perspective from when we started back last July to where we are now. It’s been an incredible journey this season. We’ll be back.”

Manchester United are eyeing a move to sign highly-rated Lille star Matias Fernandez-Pardo to bolster their attack, according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The Red Devils have made bolstering their midfield a priority this summer, but there is also scope to add a new forward to the squad as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund will all leave permanently during the transfer window.

A new left-winger is understood to be a key area that the club want to strengthen ahead of the new season, and a 21-year-old sensation has now emerged as a target.

Man Utd Eyeing Fernandez-Pardo Deal

Fernandez-Pardo, who has been described as ‘explosive’, is expected to leave Ligue 1 side Lille this summer after a fantastic campaign with the French side, where he registered eight goals and six assists in 40 appearances across all competitions.

The Belgian has been identified by Newcastle United as a top target to replace Anthony Gordon, who has joined Barcelona in a £70m deal, but Man Utd are also understood to be showing an interest in the exciting forward.

Lille need to sell players this summer to help them raise funds, and the winger is regarded as one of their most sellable assets. Despite reports that he is valued at around €50m (£43.2m), United could be willing to pay it as they look for competition in the wide positions for Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Patrick Dorgu.

The 21-year-old is also understood to be of interest to Man City, with his versatility being a big point of interest, as he is able to play across the forward line out wide or through the middle.

Fernandez-Pardo is part of the Belgium squad heading to the World Cup this summer, and Lillle will be hoping that he can turn in some serious performances to help raise his price tag.

Man Utd Need Attacking Additions

Michael Carrick admitted months ago that left-wing is a position that Man Utd need to strenghten, and now that he has the role permanently, he is likely to make it a priority.

Fernandez-Pardo is the type of signing that would fit in well at Man utd as a young player with plenty of room to grow, but also having experience at a high level and performances that prove he is ready to make the step up.

Considering the likely fee he will be available for, this could be a real bargain deal considering usual market value, and he would give the squad a boost in a position that needs reinforcements ahead of next seaosn.