After the narrow semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the focus at FC Bayern was not only on their own performance. The performance of referee João Pinheiro in particular caused a great deal of displeasure among the Munich team. Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen was particularly outspoken after the game
Emotions had already built up at Bayern during the game, with several controversial scenes causing heated discussions – both on the pitch and on the touchline
After the 1:1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain, Munich’s frustration was therefore also directed at the refereeing team led by João Pinheiro. Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen found remarkably clear words in the mixed zone. „It is at least astonishing that a referee with only 15 Champions League appearances is allowed to officiate a game like this,“ explained the FC Bayern CEO
Dreesen was referring directly to the comparative lack of experience of the Portuguese referee, who was officiating a semi-final in the top flight for the first time
For the Bayern boss, this may have been a decisive factor in several controversial decisions during the match. „And that may explain some of the whistles,“ Dreesen continued
Several controversial scenes cause frustration
João Pinheiro had already been at the center of attention several times in the first half, with an offside decision against Harry Kane in the 23rd minute causing particular anger
The Englishman was whistled back during a promising attack, although the TV images later showed that the situation had been extremely close. DAZN expert Michael Ballack subsequently spoke of a „huge mistake“
„He shouldn’t have blown the whistle himself. That’s a huge mistake by the referee,“ criticized the former national team captain
There was even more anger a few minutes later when PSG defender Nuno Mendes, who had already been cautioned, stopped an attack by Konrad Laimer with his arm, prompting many Bayern players to call for a yellow card against the Portuguese
But instead of sending him off, Pinheiro ruled that Laimer had handled the ball beforehand – although the TV images suggested that the Austrian had controlled the ball with his chest and thigh
„That’s a blatantly wrong decision“
„It’s a blatantly wrong decision,“ Sami Khedira told DAZN, with the 2014 World Cup winner criticizing the impact on the flow of the game: „The referee interfered in a wonderful game of soccer between two great teams.“
Shortly before the break, the next commotion was caused by a possible handball in the PSG penalty area. After an attempted clearance, Vitinha shot his teammate João Neves on the outstretched arm from close range
Bayern vehemently appealed for a penalty, but according to the current IFAB interpretation of the rules, there was no punishable handball. As the ball had previously been played by a teammate, the whistle was not blown in accordance with the rules
Nevertheless, Munich’s frustration remained palpable long after the final whistle – especially from Jan-Christian Dreesen, who sent out a clear signal with his criticism of the referee’s decision.