UEFA remains silent after Bayern boss Tuchel fumes over officials’ ‘betrayal’

Thursday May 9, 2024 10:43 a.m.

European soccer leaders UEFA made no comment on what Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel called a “disastrous decision” made by on-field officials in the final moments of their defeat in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid last night.

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak was quick to blow his whistle after one of his assistants raised an offside flag, moments before Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt scored what would have been the equalizer in stoppage time of the Spanish capital.

The stoppage of play meant that VAR could not decide whether the goal should standalthough the question also arises as to whether De Ligt would have scored if Real’s defense had not stopped at the whistle.

However, Tuchel took no comfort as his side squandered the lead given to them midway through the second half by Alphonso Davies, losing 4-3 on aggregate to two late goals from the former Stoke and Newcastle striker, Joselu.

“They have a disastrous decision from the linesman and the referee,” former Chelsea boss Tuchel told TNT Sports.

“So in the end it almost feels like a betrayal because of this decision. It was a huge fight, we left everything on the pitch and we were almost there. Now we have to congratulate Real Madrid.

“The linesman apologized, but that doesn’t help. At this kind of level, raising the flag in a decision like this, a close decision, at the last minute – and so does the referee.

“The referee does not have to whistle. He sees we win the second ball, he sees we shoot away and whistling is a very, very bad decision.

The moment that could have changed everything…

VAR could not review offside call against De Ligt after referee had already blown the whistle 👀 pic.twitter.com/PyMp4Jg1j1

– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 8, 2024

“And it’s against the rules and it’s a bad decision on both of their parts.” It is a disaster. Hard to swallow, but that’s how it is.

While there has been no clarification or comment from UEFA on Tuchel’s outburst, officials could refer to VAR protocols published by the International Football Association Board.

They specify that an assistant referee’s offside flag should only be delayed “in a very clear attacking situation when a player is about to score a goal or is in full rush towards/to the area “adverse reparation”.

Real Madrid’s victory means they will now face Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley on June 1, where they could lift the trophy for a record 15th time.

Bayern – and England captain Harry Kane – are destined to end the season without a trophy for the first time since 2012, after Bayer Leverkusen ended 11 years of dominance in the Bundesliga.

The absence of Premier League teams means England officials Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor – both highly regarded by UEFA – could be in contention to referee the match.

Nominations for the three men’s club competition finals will be announced by UEFA on Monday.

Additional reporting by PA