Dreesen Questions Pinheiro’s Experience
Following Bayern Munich’s dramatic 1-1 draw with PSG, which sealed a 6-5 aggregate exit from the Champions League semi-finals, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen raised concerns over the appointment of referee João Pinheiro for such a high-profile match.
Dreesen pointed to the Portuguese official’s relatively limited experience at the elite knockout stage, suggesting it may have influenced key decisions during the game. "It is at least astonishing that a referee who has never officiated a semi-final before and who only has 15 Champions League games on his record is officiating a semi-final. That is unusual and perhaps that also explains some of the decision," he told BILD.
Before the semi-final, Pinheiro’s most notable Champions League assignment had been a round of 16 first leg between Club Brugge and Aston Villa, while his highest-profile match overall was the UEFA Super Cup final.
Kompany Frustrated by Key Refereeing Calls
Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany also expressed frustration after watching his side’s European campaign end in controversial circumstances, particularly over several disputed decisions involving PSG midfielder João Neves.
One incident involved a handball situation where the ball struck Neves after a clearance from a teammate. Although the laws generally protect players in such scenarios, Kompany felt the interpretation lacked clarity.
“We have to look at some of the phases that were decided by the officials across the two games which… it’s never an excuse for everything but it matters,” Kompany said.
“[Neves’] hand is in the air, it hits it. Because it’s from his own teammate it’s not a penalty. But if you look at both [situations], a little bit of common sense and it’s just ridiculous. Whatever needs to happen but it’s ridiculous. It doesn’t tell the whole game but it’s a one-goal game in the end.”
Mendes Incident Sparks Red Card Debate
Earlier in the match, Bayern were also left furious after PSG defender Nuno Mendes escaped a second yellow card for what appeared to be a deliberate handball. Instead of sending him off, Pinheiro awarded a free-kick in the opposite direction for an earlier foul, a decision that immediately triggered protests from Bayern players and staff.
Kompany later suggested the referee may have been hesitant to produce a second booking. “I felt he pulled out because he realised he already gave him a yellow and he didn’t want to send him off for that,” he said. Max Eberl also backed that view, stating: “For me, you can give a yellow-red card. Then the game goes differently.”
Ballack Questions Officiating Decisions
The fallout extended beyond Bayern’s current setup, with former captain Michael Ballack also expressing unease over key refereeing moments, particularly the intervention of the fourth official during the Laimer incident.
"It is the first time that the fourth official has intervened in such a scene. I had the feeling they didn't want to give the second yellow card. That's my feeling as a spectator. I say that quite openly," the German legend said to DAZN.
With tensions still high, Bayern must now regroup quickly for the DFB-Pokal final, while PSG shift focus to their upcoming Champions League final against Arsenal.
