Thomas Tuchel was left angry at the decision not to award Bayern Munich a penalty against Arsenal with referee Glenn Nyberg apparently waving away the incident as a “kid’s mistake”.
Bayern’s manager and players were left incensed at the Swedish referee’s decision not to give them a spot kick when Gabriel Magalhaes picked the ball up in his own box during the 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium.
The whistle had been blown for a goal kick when goalkeeper David Raya passed the ball to the central defender, who picked it up, placed it back down and passed it back as play continued.
Tuchel said after the game that Nyberg told his players that he had seen the incident in question but deemed it “a kid’s mistake” and he “will not give a penalty” for it in a game of this magnitude.
“I know it is a crazy situation but they put the ball down, he whistles, he gives the ball and the defender takes the ball in his hand,” Tuchel said.
“What makes us really angry is the explanation on the field. He told our players that it is a ‘kid’s mistake’ and he will not give a penalty like this in a quarter-final.
“This is a horrible, horrible explanation. He is judging handballs. Kid’s mistake, adult’s mistake. Whatever. We feel angry because it is a huge decision against us.”
The Athletic has approached UEFA for comment.
According to Thomas Tuchel, the referee admitted he 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 awarded Bayern Munich a penalty for this incident with Gabriel 👀
🎙 @julesbreach pic.twitter.com/nR2ENVASm2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2024
Thomas Muller echoed his manager’s thoughts on the matter and was left wondering why a spot kick wasn’t given.
“The ref saw what happened clearly but felt it was too stupid a mistake, too small to give a pen,” he said.
“I can understand that in terms of the game but it’s not down to him to decide that.”
Joshua Kimmich added: “I’ve never seen something like that before. Ref said ‘kid’s mistake’. It’s not, it’s a clear penalty.”
Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead before goals from Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane put the visitors ahead in north London.
Leandro Trossard’s second-half equaliser, though, ensured next week’s second leg will start level.
The two sides meet at Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday, April 17.
(Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Read the full article here