Bayern Munich's Tuchel Says Ref Admitted Mistake on Call in UCL Loss to Real Madrid
May 8, 2024
Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel said that the linesman who made a crucial and controversial offside call against his team in their Champions League semifinal loss to Real Madrid on Wednesday has apologized for the decision.
Football on TNT Sports @footballontntThomas Tuchel confirms that the linesman has 𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 for lifting his flag up early for their disallowed goal 😳<br><br>🎙 <a href="https://twitter.com/Sports_EmmaD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sports_EmmaD</a> <a href="https://t.co/cNEyb3Mbcm">pic.twitter.com/cNEyb3Mbcm</a>
Tuchel also didn't hold back on this thoughts regarding the call either.
Nor did Bayern's Thomas Müller:
Real Madrid was up 4-3 on aggregate (2-1 in the match) late in stoppage time, but Bayern Munich then potted a goal to apparently tie the game. However, a linesman raised his flag for offside, and Real Madrid is moving on.
Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt scored what would have been the tying goal, and he spoke afterward, saying the linesman apologized to him as well:
beIN SPORTS @beINSPORTS_EN"It's a big, big mistake!"<a href="https://twitter.com/mdeligt_04?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mdeligt_04</a> was very frustrated with that late-offside decision. <a href="https://twitter.com/adriandelmonte?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adriandelmonte</a> with the questions. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/beINUCL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#beINUCL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RealMadridBayern?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RealMadridBayern</a> <a href="https://t.co/3g6FjZaZYf">pic.twitter.com/3g6FjZaZYf</a>
As for whether or not it was offside, a vociferous debate is going on:
Kaizer ♨️ @KaizerRMACan't believe I have to post about this stupid decision in the midst of celebrations.<br><br>Offside. NOW SHUT UP.<br><br>Madrid literally stopped playing and you think a goal into an empty net should be considered legit 😂😂😂<br><br>People just hate Madrid too much man. <a href="https://t.co/QvyGU6qBSE">pic.twitter.com/QvyGU6qBSE</a>
Did a referee rob a team today? @RefereesRobbingNo.<br><br>Great call by the linesman and referee Marciniak, as BOTH De Ligt (shoulder) and Müller (knee) are contesting the ball from an offside position.<br><br>Obstructing the play from an offside position, a basic/straightforward rule . This action should not be controversial whatsoever. <a href="https://t.co/lNdRwErq6K">pic.twitter.com/lNdRwErq6K</a>
𝗙𝗜𝗔𝗚𝗢 @fiago7No matter if this was offside or onside: This is a close call. And the rules say, for close calls like this you MUST keep playing until the attack is over, then check VAR. If this happens in a 2nd Bundesliga mid table game nobody cares. But this is literally the UCL semi final. <a href="https://t.co/3eNsfP7X64">pic.twitter.com/3eNsfP7X64</a>
Regardless, the call was made, and Real Madrid moves on to play Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, which will take place on Saturday, June 1 at 3 p.m. ET in London's Wembley Stadium.