Schalke vs Man City: VAR controversy as referee awards penalty against Nicolas Otamendi for handball with pitchside screen not working

The crowd erupted in dismay as the game was brought to a halt for almost three minutes as the referee deliberated

VAR controversy clouded the first half of Manchester City‘s Champions League tie against Schalke 04 as the German side were awarded a penalty on review after two-and-a-half minutes' deliberation.

After City had taken the lead through Sergio Aguero, Daniel Caligiuri‘s powerful goalbound strike from 20 yards clattered into the arm of Nicolas Otamendi.

The Argentinian appeared to be trying to reel his arm out of the way but was caught on the bicep in the process with the ball seemingly headed towards the top corner.

Schalke’s players immediately crowded the referee, who became increasingly angsty as he awaited a decision from the video referee.

But, eventually, after consulting both captains and the crowd erupting in dismay at the time taken out of the game, a penalty was awarded and Otamendi received a yellow card.

Former Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb stepped up to take it and swatted the ball beyond Ederson and into the bottom corner.

Uefa then revealed that the reason the referee did not check the pitchside screen was because the television set-up was not working.