„Should not have intervened“: Criticism of VAR penalty against Bayern | OneFootball

FC Bayern’s spectacular 4:5 win at Paris Saint-Germain will not only be remembered for the nine goals scored – a controversial refereeing decision is also causing discussion afterwards. The focus is on the handball penalty shortly before half-time that gave PSG the 3:2 lead at the interval

After a cross from Ousmane Dembélé, Alphonso Davies received the ball from close range, first on the hip and then on the arm. Referee Sandro Schärer initially allowed the scene to continue, but was then asked to go to the screen by the VAR and, after viewing the images, decided to award a penalty – a decision that caused plenty of discussion

Refereeing expert voices clear criticism

For refereeing expert Manuel Gräfe, the scene is anything but clear – and above all not a case for the video assistant. In an interview with BILD, he explained: „I’ll say it up front, it would have made sense not to intervene here,“ the former Bundesliga referee clarified. His reasoning: „This decision to let play continue there is not a crystal-clear wrong decision.“

Gräfe argued that several factors spoke against a penalty. „You can see that before the cross, the arm goes out a little with the step movement, which is rather natural,“ he explained. In addition, the ball had previously been deflected by the hip, which meant that Davies could hardly react

His conclusion was clear: „Very unlucky for Bayern, because it should have been allowed to continue.“ The decision was „a very harsh decision“ and „not only not in the spirit of soccer, but rather the worse option.“

Kompany speaks of „highly controversial“

photo: IMAGO

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany was also critical of the scene after the game: „I think the penalty awarded is highly controversial,“ the Belgian explained in an interview with Prime Video

In his view, the sequence of the contact was particularly crucial: „As far as I saw it, the ball seems to have hit the body first and then the arm, and if that’s the case, there shouldn’t have been a penalty.“

The discussion surrounding the scene is likely to reverberate for some time – not least because it occurred in a match that was already characterized by high intensity and drama

In the end, FC Bayern will be left with the bitter realisation that, in addition to their own lack of chances, such decisions can also be the deciding factor. In the second leg in Munich, it will therefore not only be a question of sporting performance, but also of taking the decisive moments into their own hands.