Newcastle United suffered a “disgrace” akin to a “robbery” in their Champions League encounter away at Paris Saint-Germain, according to Ally McCoist.
The pundit said on TNT Sports – as transcribed by BBC Sport – that if he was playing in the game, he’d be feeling a sense of injustice.
Newcastle were on the verge of securing another famous result against PSG, this time at the Parc des Princes.
Alexander Isak opened the scoring for Eddie Howe’s side in the first half after Miguel Almiron’s effort had been palmed into the path of the striker.
Newcastle then repelled wave after wave of PSG attacks, with Nick Pope pulling off a particularly remarkable save from Bradley Barcola in the second half.
However, deep into injury time, Tino Livramento was harshly penalised for a handball in the box, which resulted in Szymon Marciniak awarding a spot kick to the hosts.
‘Disgrace’
Kylian Mbappe hammered his penalty high into the net, against which the diving Nick Pope had no chance, resulting in heartbreak for Newcastle.
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“It comes off Livramento’s chest and hits his elbow,” said McCoist. “That is absolutely never a penalty. If we’re giving a penalty for that then it is a disgrace.
“It’s bordering on a robbery. If I was playing I’d have a real feeling of injustice.”
McCoist then asked if he wants to see the penalty decision again before his analysis. He replied: “Well, it will just annoy me, but go on.
‘Bitter pill to swallow’
McCoist isn’t the only pundit stunned by Marciniak’s decision. For instance, Paul Merson described it on X as an outright “robbery” and “never a pen in a million years”.
Meanwhile, Jermaine Jenas said on TNT Sports – as transcribed by BBC Sport – that it was a “bitter pill to swallow” and a “shocker” for the Magpies.
What a shame. Newcastle should’ve clinched another absolutely historic result, but for this ludicrous decision.
There are repercussions in terms of the Magpies’ hopes of progressing from the group too.
The result means Newcastle are third in Group F, two points behind second-placed PSG.
The Magpies now need to beat AC Milan in their final group game and hope already-qualified Borussia Dortmund get a result against the Parisians.