• Bayern Munich were eliminated in the Champions League semifinals, again lamenting refereeing decisions in the second leg.

• A potential second yellow card for Nuno Mendes was overturned after Konrad Laimer was judged to have handled the ball.

• Bayern coach Vincent Kompany and midfielder Laimer both expressed disbelief at the ruling.

For the second time in three seasons, Bayern Munich fell short in the Champions League semifinals, expressing frustration over a referee’s decision in the second leg.

A free kick that could have led to a second yellow card for Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes was overturned just 29 minutes into the match when Bayern needed a breakthrough. Konrad Laimer, who was involved in the incident, remarked, “That would have been a decisive moment if PSG had lost a player so early.” Instead, Laimer himself was judged, on the fourth official’s advice, to have handled the ball moments earlier.

This marks a continuation of Bayern’s struggles in the semifinals. Two years ago, a potential equalizer by Matthijs de Ligt in stoppage time against Real Madrid was ruled out for a marginal offside. In 2024, then-coach Thomas Tuchel described the on-field ruling as a “disastrous decision” that “feels almost like a betrayal.”

It has been six years since six-time European champions Bayern last reached a final, with two semifinal exits in that time. Adding to their frustration, the sequence of play around the Nuno Mendes handball could not be reviewed by VAR, although changes to the system might allow for such reviews next season.

Key moment

PSG secured an early lead in Munich on Wednesday, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring in the third minute, giving the French club a 6-4 advantage on aggregate. Bayern aimed to regain momentum, which seemed possible when Laimer advanced towards Mendes, whose arm blocked the ball.

Referee João Pinheiro initially indicated a free kick for Bayern and suggested a second yellow card for Mendes, who had already been booked for a foul on Michael Olise. However, moments later, Pinheiro reversed his decision, claiming Laimer had handled the ball, although television replays did not provide clear evidence of that call.

“You don’t feel it during the game itself. I thought I had played the ball with my stomach, and then Mendes with his hand,” Laimer stated. “The referee whistled for handball against me five seconds later. That’s really strange.”

No VAR review

The current VAR protocol permits video review for “clear and obvious errors” regarding goals, penalties, direct red cards, and mistaken identity. Starting next month at the World Cup, VAR will also be able to overturn a second yellow card shown in error.

Nuno Mendes was not shown a second yellow card on Wednesday. However, new rules next season may allow referees to review an entire passage of play after an initial decision. Coach Vincent Kompany noted, “I thought he was giving it” regarding the potential second yellow. He also remarked, “I don’t see Konrad Laimer touch the ball with his hand.”

Instead of facing a PSG side down a player, Bayern remained at full strength until Harry Kane scored late, resulting in a 1-1 draw, which brought the aggregate score to 6-5. Minutes following the Laimer decision, Bayern was rightly denied a penalty for handball against PSG’s João Neves because the ball had been played to his arm by a teammate.

PSG will defend its Champions League title against Arsenal on May 30, while Bayern’s wait for another final continues.