Tomasz Kwiatkowski addresses VAR controversies and media criticism

Polish VAR referee Tomasz Kwiatkowski has addressed past controversies regarding his officiating in the UEFA Champions League. He reflected on a decision during a 2023 match between PSG and Newcastle, where he intervened to award a penalty that resulted in a 1-1 draw. Kwiatkowski described the incident as a mistake, noting that he felt pressured by the match's dynamics.

He also discussed a more significant incident involving Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez during a penalty shootout in March 2025. Kwiatkowski signaled to referee Szymon Marciniak that the player had touched the ball twice, leading to a disallowed goal and Atletico's elimination. While he maintains the decision was correct, he noted it resulted in him being excluded from Champions League assignments for the remainder of that season.

Additionally, Kwiatkowski criticized football analyst Adam Lyczmański for his commentary on Canal+ Sport. Kwiatkowski argued that Lyczmański’s analyses often lack empathy for the complexities of officiating and can mislead the public, creating a harmful narrative that influences coaches, club presidents, and fans.