Thomas Tuchel lamented a "cruel decision" going against Paris Saint-Germain in its loss to Manchester United, but insisted he was still a big supporter of the use of VAR.
PSG was stunningly eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday, suffering a 3-1 loss at home to Manchester United to bow out on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
But it took a contentious 94th-minute penalty to send United through, Marcus Rashford converting after a VAR review led to Presnel Kimpembe being penalised for a handball.
A measured Tuchel rued the decision as PSG was eliminated in the last 16 of the competition for a third straight season.
"It was a big decision, a cruel decision... but it's difficult. There are reasons he can give the decision. It's always soft facts with hands," he told a news conference.
"The shot is not a big, big chance. It's wide, then suddenly it's a penalty."
Romelu Lukaku's brace in the first half gave United hope, but Juan Bernat's 12th-minute goal had PSG on track before the late drama.
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Despite the VAR intervening, Tuchel said he still supported the use of the technology, acknowledging the handball rule was a difficult one.
"I'm a big supporter of VAR, and I am still a big supporter of VAR," he said.
"With hand, it's a super-difficult thing, because there are too many points in do we punish it or not punish it, distance, natural position... so many things to discuss.
"I think [it's] a 50-50 decision."
Tuchel added: "This is the problem with hand. The points people use to support the decision say it isn't.
"For a shot that was going 50 metres over the bar to get a penalty from 11 metres, there is no logic in that."
'This is a shame' - Neymar
Neymar was furious with the dramatic late penalty awarded to Manchester United in Paris Saint-Germain's stunning Champions League loss.
Marcus Rashford converted a 94th-minute spot-kick to give United a 3-1 win in Paris, sending them through to the quarter-finals on away goals after the last-16 tie finished locked 3-3 on aggregate.
Presnel Kimpembe was adjudged to have handled in the area, the referee needing the help of the VAR before awarding the penalty.
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Neymar, who is sidelined with a foot injury, blasted the decision on Instagram Stories after Wednesday's game.
"This is a shame!" he wrote alongside a photo of the VAR review.
"And they put four guys who don't understand football to watch the play in slow motion. That doesn't exist!
"How will the guy put his hand on his back?"
Romelu Lukaku's brace had set up United, who became the first team in Champions League history to advance after losing the first leg of a knockout tie at home by two goals or more.
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