Wenger slams UEFA’s “useless” five-official system over penalty denial gaffe

LONDON - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has branded UEFA’s five-official system “useless” after his side were denied a penalty in their Champions League defeat against Braga.

Arsenal forward Carlos Vela was booked for diving after appearing to be fouled in the box, which Wenger believes was a “turning point” in his side’s 2-0 loss on Tuesday.

“We were kicked off the park and should have had a definite penalty. I’d like to know what the fifth official was doing. Carlos Vela was clearly fouled. The five referees is not an answer to the problem. It is a useless system,” the Sun quoted Wenger, as saying.

“The turning point was the penalty - I still cannot understand how Vela got a yellow card. It remains a complete mystery. The referee had some surprising decisions. It is hard to swallow, but now we have to win our last game. The most important thing for us now is to qualify,” he added.

The five-official system, which adds an extra assistant behind each goal, was extended to the Champions League in May after a trial in last season’s Europa League.

It had previously been tried at youth level and is also in operation in Euro 2012 qualifiers. (ANI)