“It’s a scandal!” - Germany points finger of blame for Bayern Munich Champions League exit to PSG

Bayern and the German press were quick to identify the man they believed was responsible for the Munich side’s Champions League exit after the 1-1 draw against PSG: Portuguese referee João Pinheiro. They blamed him for not showing Nuno Mendes a second yellow card for a handball and for not awarding a penalty for another handball, this time by João Neves after a clearance by Vitinha. The most forceful outlet was Bild: “Refereeing scandal! Bayern’s dream of the final destroyed,” the newspaper wrote on its website.

Why referee João Pinheiro was blamed

“Unlike the football festival in the French capital, this time it is not the 22 stars on the pitch who are in the spotlight, but – much to Bayern’s frustration – referee João Pinheiro. The inexperienced Portuguese official (15th Champions League game, first semi-final) provoked Bayern’s anger with no fewer than three decisions,” the paper declared.

Its analysis was as follows: “First, the Portuguese official surprisingly stopped a Kane move early for a dubious offside (Nuno Mendes may narrowly have played him onside) in the 23rd minute. Then came the first major controversy: the ball struck the outstretched arm of Mendes, who had already been booked. Bayern’s players, beside themselves, demanded a yellow card and a sending-off for the PSG star. However, the referee awarded a free kick to PSG for an alleged handball by Laimer (28th minute): wrong decision! Laimer played the ball with his abdomen and thigh.”

Regarding the João Neves incident, the newspaper quoted Manuel Gräfe, a former German referee: “It is a penalty and must always be punished as such, because there is an intentional movement toward the ball.” Bild did add, however, that IFAB rules indicate that if the ball comes from a teammate and is not heading toward goal, it is not a penalty.

Jan-Christan Dreesen, CEO of the German champions, was visibly angry: “It is, at the very least, astonishing that a referee with only 15 Champions League appearances is allowed to officiate a game like this. And that could explain some of the decisions he made today,” said the Bayern chief.

Bavarian coach Vincent Kompany concluded: “Why isn’t it a red? I don’t understand. Why are we given a penalty against us in Paris and not awarded one here? I know the rules, that hand was above his head. It is as if one hand directed everything in the wrong direction for us.”

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