Bayern bosses feel robbed of penalty against Arsenal
Photo: Hayters - Pressbox/OneFootball |
Bayern Munich should have been awarded a penalty for handball in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal, according to head coach Thomas Tuchel and board member for sport Max Eberl.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Tuchel said the referee made a "huge mistake" by not awarding Bayern a penalty in the second half when William Saliba picked up the ball with his hands after David Raya had taken a short free-kick inside the Arsenal box.
“The referee made a huge mistake. I know it was a crazy situation. They put the ball down, he whistles and the defender takes the ball with his hands,” Tuchel told reporters (via @iMianSanMia).
“What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He told our players it was a 'kid's mistake' and he won't give a penalty for that in a Champions League quarterfinal. It's a horrible, horrible explanation. Kid's mistake, adult's mistake, whatever - we feel angry because it was a huge decision against us.”
Max Eberl echoed similar sentiments.
“So the referee blows his whistle, the goalkeeper passes the ball to the defender, who takes it with his hand, that's a penalty,” said Bayern's board member for sport.
“And then the referee's statement, well, he said I can't give such a penalty in the quarter-finals. Excuse me. It’s not my fault, it’s not our fault,” added Eberl.