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Controversy surrounding VAR took centre stage in Manchester City’s Champions League first leg tie with Schalke on Wednesday.
City found themselves 2-1 down at half-time thanks to former Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb’s penalty strikes.
There was almost a three-minute wait for referee Carlos del Cerro Grande to award Schalke their first penalty of the evening after the ball appeared to hit Nicolas Otamendi’s arm.
Schalke players surrounded the official, who spoke to both club’s captains before awarding the penalty.
The wait is believed to have taken so long because VAR’s pitchside screen was not working.
Bentaleb converted the first penalty before scoring a second spot-kick after Fernandinho pulled down Salif Sane in the box.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand thought Otamendi was harshly penalised by VAR.
He told BT Sport: “He’s so close to the ball, it’s difficult to get his arm away. I find it hard to give that penalty.
“This is the problem with VAR, it takes so long to make a decision.”
Both Otamendi and Fernandinho were booked for their fouls, which means they will miss the second leg tie at the Etihad.
