Arteta infuriated by decision to overturn penalty against Atletico Madrid

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called it “unacceptable” and said it was a moment that changed the course of his team’s Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid.

Meanwhile, Atletico coach Diego Simeone’s antics while referee Danny Makkelie studied the sideline monitor at the Metropolitano stadium came under scrutiny Wednesday.

In a white-hot atmosphere and the score locked at 1-1 in Madrid, the Dutch official opted to overturn a second-half penalty awarded to Arsenal when substitute Eberechi Eze went down under a challenge from David Hancko.

“The whole sequence tells the story. I mean it’s a clear contact,” Arteta told TNT Sports. “At this level it’s completely unacceptable.”

The game ended 1-1 with the second leg taking place at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium next week.

Arteta said Makkelie had reviewed the penalty incident 13 times before deciding to overturn his decision. Soccer’s rules state decisions should not be changed unless there is a “clear and obvious error.”

“You make that decision, you cannot overturn that decision when you have to look at it 13 times,” Arteta added.

UEFA said the penalty was ruled out because no foul had been committed, despite replays showing clear contact between Hancko and Eze.