PSG coach Tuchel refuses to blame VAR after 'cruel' Champions League exit

Stunned Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel said his side's Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester United on Wednesday was "cruel" but refused to blame the match officials after the late VAR-awarded penalty that decided the tie.

"I am a big supporter of VAR and I stay a big supporter of VAR," said Tuchel, who looked white as he spoke to media after PSG's 3-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes in their last 16, second leg.

Having won 2-0 in the first leg last month, the French side wobbled in the return but were still going through until Slovenian referee Damir Skomina gave a stoppage-time penalty for a Presnel Kimpembe handball in the box, after reviewing the images.

A Diogo Dalot shot had struck Kimpembe, and Marcus Rashford duly converted from the spot, as United went through on away goals.

"From my point of view I watched Dalot take the shot. I saw the ball flying straight from his foot and for me it was clear that it was going way over the bar," said Tuchel.

"There are many things to discuss before taking the decision and I think it's a 50-50 decision.

"What makes it super hard is that I had the clear feeling that the shot was not on target, and to get rewarded with a penalty, there is no logic."
Tuchel added: "You can say that we played on this thin line for 60 minutes knowing that if we don't score, we can blame it."