UEFA release statement after Kylian Mbappe VAR penalty U-turn as Arsenal escape suspension blow

UEFA have confirmed that Real Madrid's penalty on Kylian Mbappe was overturned after it was decided that Declan Rice did not foul the attacker.

After giving a penalty inside the first 10 minutes, which Bukayo Saka missed, referee François Letexier pointed to the spot to award Los Blancos a penalty after Mbappe went down inside the box. Replays showed that Rice had grappled with the France international before he collapsed to the ground.

Rice immediately claimed he didn't touch the forward in his protest.

The check took just over five minutes before the decision was overturned, with the Gunners escaping the prospect of going a goal down in the second-leg.

A UEFA statement claimed: "The penalty for Real Madrid has been taken away due to a non-foul by Declan Rice."

The decision to cancel the penalty meant Rice avoided a potential suspension after being booked for his challenge on Mbappe. The midfielder is one of four Arsenal players walking a suspension tightrope after receiving two yellow cards already this season.

Three yellow cards will result in a one-game suspension and Rice's booking meant he would be unavailable for the first-leg of the semi-final, if Arsenal progressed.

However, the cancellation of the spot-kick whipped the yellow card meaning Rice, as it stands, will avoid a suspension for the last four, should we not be booked on Wednesday night.