During their Champions League semi-final second leg, trailing 1-0 (4-6 on aggregate), Bayern Munich players, coaching staff, and fans at the Allianz Arena were astonished when a penalty appeal was denied following a handball by PSG midfielder Joao Neves in the 31st minute.

The incident began with a cross from the hosts on the left wing, which goalkeeper Safonov punched away. In an attempt to clear the danger, Vitinha’s clearance struck Neves’ arm, specifically the bend between his elbow and forearm, which was extended away from his body. Vincent Kompany’s players surrounded referee Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro, demanding a penalty. However, the referee waved away Bayern’s appeals, and the video assistant referee (VAR) did not intervene.

Vitinha’s clearance struck teammate Neves’ arm in the 31st minute. Photo: TNT Sports

Under current football rules, the referee’s decision was correct, even if the reasoning was not fully clear to the home team on the pitch. This decision was based on a lesser-known exemption within the handball law.

Specifically, a player is not considered to have committed a handball offense if: the ball is kicked by a teammate and touches their hand (unless the ball goes directly into the opponent's goal or the player scores immediately after the play, in which case the other team will be awarded a direct free kick).

Dale Johnson, a football law analyst for BBC Sport, further explained: "This rule applies when the ball accidentally hits a player from a teammate's action, even if the player's arm is extended away from their body. The law states that a penalty should not be awarded in such a situation."

"When Vitinha cleared the ball, could Neves have anticipated it would fly straight into his hand? Of course, this could be overruled if it was an intentional handball, but in this context, a penalty should not have been given," Johnson affirmed.

Bayern players demanded a penalty after Neves’ handball. Photo: TNT Sports

After the match, coach Kompany expressed his displeasure with the rule: "I understand that because the ball came from Neves’ teammate, it was not a penalty. But if you look at the entire situation, a bit of common sense shows this is ridiculous. Whatever happened, it was still ludicrous. That incident did not decide the entire match, but ultimately, this was a game decided by just one goal."

Reacting to the incident, former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock also found it confusing. "This is quite a bizarre situation," he said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "It caught many people by surprise, and I myself was unaware of this rule. I think many are feeling lost with the handball law in the Champions League this season. We almost have to ask ourselves, will it be called or not? We truly don't know what the standard is."

Mendes’ handball in the 21st minute. Screenshot

Just two minutes before Neves’ controversial incident, another PSG player, full-back Nuno Mendes, also committed a handball offense. At that time, coach Kompany and his players were equally incensed when the Portuguese player avoided a second yellow card.

TNT Sports’ halftime footage of Laimer’s play just before the ball touched Mendes’ hand. Photo: Athletic

Having already received a yellow card for a foul on Michael Olise in the 8th minute, Mendes handled the ball after a play by Konrad Laimer. However, the referee awarded PSG a free kick, claiming the ball had touched a Bayern player’s hand earlier.

Throughout the first half, no television footage clearly showed whether Laimer had indeed handled the ball first. By halftime, several broadcasters, including TNT Sports and DAZN, replayed a direct camera angle.

Some social media users on X and the Reddit football community argued that the ball did not touch Laimer’s hand, but rather his stomach. In contrast, former player Jamie Carragher, serving as an expert on CBS Sports, opined that the referee had made the correct decision.

Bayern’s manager also alluded to this play after the match with visible frustration. "I thought the referee was going to issue a card, but I felt he retracted it because he realized Mendes already had a yellow card and did not want to send him off," Kompany stated. "He reversed the decision. I watched several angles; I did not see Laimer touch the ball with his hand. They said he touched it, so I do not know."

Drawing 1-1 in the second leg, Bayern lost 1-2 on aggregate, seeing PSG advance to the Champions League final for the second consecutive season.

Ha Phuong compiled