Angry Sven Botman deletes social media post after controversial Newcastle United draw at PSG

Sven Botman expressed his feelings on Instagram after the contentious Champions League game at Parc des Princes, where Newcastle United experienced late disappointment with a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain.

In the match, a 98th-minute penalty from Kylian Mbappe leveled the score, countering Alexander Isak’s first-half goal for Newcastle. The penalty decision stirred controversy as it was awarded following a VAR check, contradicting UEFA guidelines from April 2023 that suggested no handball offense should be called if the ball deflects from a player’s own body and doesn’t move towards the goal. Referee Szymon Marciniak had initially dismissed PSG’s appeals.

Sven Botman, the Newcastle defender, was absent from the game due to a knee injury. After the match, he shared a post on Instagram stating, “What a joke,” though the post was later deleted. The timing of his post coincided with the conclusion of the game at Parc des Princes, but it did not explicitly reference the match events or the controversial decision.

The outcome leaves Newcastle in a precarious position, requiring a victory against AC Milan in their final group stage match at St James’ Park. Additionally, they need Paris Saint-Germain to falter against Borussia Dortmund on December 13 to advance to the last-16. Alternatively, a draw against Milan would secure Newcastle’s place in European competition after the new year, propelling them into the Europa League.