Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA’s Referees Committee, has officially responded to the controversy surrounding PSG’s opening goal against Liverpool in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg — a goal that ultimately contributed to Liverpool’s shocking elimination.
The contentious moment occurred in the 12th minute when Ousmane Dembele played a pass to Bradley Barcola, who then set up Dembele to score. However, several angles shared online suggested Barcola may have been offside when receiving the ball. The situation escalated as VAR did not appear to review the play, sparking outrage among fans and pundits.
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Addressing the uproar, Collina stated:
“I understand the frustration, but the semi-automated offside technology confirmed that Barcola was in a legal position. The decision was correct, even if the process wasn’t as transparent as some would have liked.”
Despite the controversy, the goal stood, and Liverpool’s hopes of a comeback were dashed as PSG went on to win the penalty shootout. Further frustration grew when Liverpool were also denied a penalty in the second half after Dominik Szoboszlai appeared to be fouled by Fabian Ruiz — a challenge that VAR chose not to review.
The fallout has left Liverpool fans fuming, with many demanding greater clarity in how VAR decisions are handled. One angry supporter wrote online: “We lost a quarter-final spot because of a referee’s mistake!”
PSG now advance to the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s European journey ends in heartbreak and controversy, with questions lingering over the use of technology and the decisions made on the pitch.
