Arsenal handed huge reprieve as Uefa release statement on why Real Madrid penalty was rescinded
DECLAN RICE escaped a controversial yellow card as Real Madrid saw a penalty chalked off following a five-minute VAR check. And that means he will still be available for a potential semi-final with PSG. APReferee Francois Letexier showed Declan Rice a yellow card – but rescinded it[/caption] APRice was initially penalised for pulling down Kylian Mbappe in the area[/caption] Rice, 26, was the Gunners’ hero in the first leg with his two wonderful free-kicks. But he was penalised midway through the first half of the second leg at the Bernabeu when he gave a penalty away. Rice briefly held on to Kylian Mbappe at the back post – with the French striker hurling himself to the ground. Referee Francois Letexier immediately pointed to the spot and brandished a yellow card to the English midfielder, who was utterly baffled by the decision. However, after a lengthy stoppage to check both whether it was offside and if it was a foul, the ref was sent over to the pitchside monitor. And Letexier decided no foul had been committed – chalking off both the penalty and the yellow card. Uefa then confirmed the call with a brief statement. They said: “The penalty for Real Madrid has been taken away due to a non-foul by Declan Rice.” That proved a major reprieve for Rice, who went into the clash in Madrid knowing a yellow card would see him suspended for the first leg against PSG should Arsenal progress. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. TNT SportsMbappe went down under little contact[/caption] TNT SportsRice protested his innocence as he pointed an accusatory finger[/caption]

DECLAN RICE escaped a controversial yellow card as Real Madrid saw a penalty chalked off following a five-minute VAR check.
And that means he will still be available for a potential semi-final with PSG.
Rice, 26, was the Gunners’ hero in the first leg with his two wonderful free-kicks.
But he was penalised midway through the first half of the second leg at the Bernabeu when he gave a penalty away.
Rice briefly held on to Kylian Mbappe at the back post – with the French striker hurling himself to the ground.
Referee Francois Letexier immediately pointed to the spot and brandished a yellow card to the English midfielder, who was utterly baffled by the decision.
However, after a lengthy stoppage to check both whether it was offside and if it was a foul, the ref was sent over to the pitchside monitor.
And Letexier decided no foul had been committed – chalking off both the penalty and the yellow card.
Uefa then confirmed the call with a brief statement.
They said: “The penalty for Real Madrid has been taken away due to a non-foul by Declan Rice.”
That proved a major reprieve for Rice, who went into the clash in Madrid knowing a yellow card would see him suspended for the first leg against PSG should Arsenal progress.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.