Little-known rule shows referee was right not to give Bayern penalty despite Joao Neves handball

Bayern Munich were not on the end of a controversial penalty decision against Paris Saint-Germain, according to the laws of the game.

The German giants were denied a spot-kick during the first half of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg.

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Referee Joao Pinheiro waved away furious appeals from the Bayern players after the ball struck Joao Neves on the arm.

The ball struck the PSG midfielder’s arm after it had been cleared by his team-mate Vitinha.

It came moments after Nuno Mendes had appeared to handle the ball whilst already on a yellow card.

Bayern were instead penalised for an earlier infringement, with the referee giving a free-kick the other way.

The decision came just moments before the ball struck Neves’ hand inside the penalty area.

Pinheiro’s on-field decision was upheld by VAR to the frustration of the home supporters inside the Allianz Arena.

Bayern manager Vincent Kompany was also visibly angered on the touchline as he made his feelings known.

Penalty decision explained

However, the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) laws of the game include a little-known rule which explains why the decision was correct.

The handball rule includes an exemption for situations when the ball has been kicked at a player by their teammate.

Even if their arm is away from their body, a handball should not be given by the referee according to the laws of the game.

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IFAB’s handball explanation states: “This is not a handball unless the ball goes directly into the opponents’ goal or the player scores immediately afterwards, in which case a direct free-kick is awarded to the other team.”

Bayern’s penalty appeal came after the hosts had fallen behind early on in the second leg.

Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring in Munich after just three minutes.

His strike also doubled PSG’s aggregate lead following their 5-4 win at the Parc des Princes last week. Harry Kane equalised deep into stoppage-time on the night, however, PSG held onto their 6-5 aggregate lead.

Bayern had also been on the end of a contentious penalty decision during the first leg.

Alphonso Davies was deemed to have handled the ball following a VAR review, with taking the lead with the resulting spot-kick.

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The ball had ricocheted off Davies’ leg onto his arm as he defended the Bayern goal.

Arsenal await the winners of tonight’s match in the final after beating Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

The Premier League leaders are into their first Champions League final for 20 years.

This season’s showpiece contest will take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Saturday, May 30.