Former Liverpool flop Iago Aspas THROWS VAR monitor after officials overturned last minute penalty decision in Celta Vigo’s 1-1 draw with Sevilla

• The former Liverpool player cut a frustrated figure during Celta Vigo’s draw 
• Aspas threw the VAR monitor on the floor after the late overturned decision 
• Big debates on Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal on It’s All Kicking Off podcast 

Former Liverpool player Iago Aspas showed his frustrations with VAR after throwing the official’s monitor on the floor during Celta Vigo’s match. 

The incident took place in the final moments of their crucial LaLiga clash with Sevilla on Saturday, which ended up a 1-1 draw after goals from Carl Starfelt and Youssef En-Nesyri.

Club captain Aspas had started the match before getting subbed in the 69th minute and resided on the bench up until the final moments of the game. 

In a dramatic sequence, Celta Vigo thought they had the chance to snatch all three points after referee Alejandro Hernandez awarded them a penalty for an foul by Jesus Navas on Anastasios Douvikas. 

However, after a consultation with VAR, the officials overturned the original decision and rescinded the yellow card handed out to Navas.

Iago Aspas threw the VAR monitor during Celta Vigo’s 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Saturday night

The Celta Vigo captain painted a frustrated figure after a late VAR call overturned a penalty

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Aspas was left fuming with the decision from the sidelines and quickly showed his frustrations my marching towards the VAR monitor. 

The Spaniard threw it to one side during his furious reaction, nearly hitting one of the officials standing on the sideline. 

After the match, he painted an irate figure and questioned the officials’ use of VAR during the game.

Speaking to DAZN Sport, Aspas said: ‘The balance always falls on the same side. And today when it could have favoured us, he goes to the VAR to see it when all of Spain has seen it.

‘We have been through twelve days and in seven games the balance always falls the other way. We want to be the best league in the world and we are not advancing like this.’

Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, who now takes charge of Celta Vigo, echoed his captain’s thoughts when asked about the incident post-match. 

‘I’m not the one who has to say if there is a black hand or not, but for another week we are surprised by the referee’s performance. 

‘I have not even spoken with the referee, I have seen the replay and it has come to me to see what all of Spain has seen,’ Benitez said. 

The 36-year-old later questioned the referee’s decision during his post-match interview

Celta Vigo manager Rafael Benitez also queried the official’s call to overturn the penalty

Elsewhere, officiating decisions dominated the Premier League’s Saturday night action, as Mikel Arteta launched an astonishing attack on referees after Anthony Gordon’s controversial winning goal for Newcastle.

The Arsenal boss said: ‘How the hell did this goal stand up? It’s incredible. I feel embarrassed. It’s an absolute disgrace that this was allowed. For many reasons it’s not a goal.’

The 64th-minute goal went through three separate VAR checks — to confirm Joe Willock kept the ball in play before crossing, a potential foul on Gabriel by Joelinton and whether goalscorer Gordon was offside.

Referee Stuart Attwell also failed to issue red cards to Kai Havertz for a rash challenge and Bruno Guimaraes for an elbow on Jorghino in the first half.

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