Was it handball? The rules behind the debated Joao Neves call
Did the officials at Allianz Arena get it right? What does the rulebook state regarding the 31st minute moment that might have altered the games result?
At that point Bayern were down by two goals overall against PSG. On the pitch they appeared stronger holding most of the ball and pushing forward into the rivals area where Josip Stanisic delivered a threatening pass from the side.
The Croatian full backs effort was just pushed away by the away teams keeper Matvey Safonov and Vitinha was the fastest to respond.
The Portugal international steadied the ball with his first touch then attempted to boot it clear from PSGs net with the follow up. Instead he struck it directly onto the arm of fellow countryman Joao Neves positioned merely five metres distant.
Bayerns response was predictable. Nine members of their squad everyone bar the composed Austrian Konrad Laimer swiftly appealed to match official Joao Pinheiro voicing their view on the penalty area event.
Much to their shock the referee from Portugal stayed composed and after reviewing with VAR chose not to punish Neves conduct.
While the local team the coaching staff under Vincent Kompany and even club icon Uli Hoeness from the terraces believed differently the experienced 38 year old stuck to the guidelines.
As per IFAB the International Football Association Board guidelines a handball offence does not apply when a player is hit at short distance by a teammate the arm is naturally placed alongside the bodys motion and there is insufficient time for reaction.
That said if the arm adopts an unnatural stance enlarging the players silhouette if the individual intentionally directs the arm toward the ball or benefits unfairly from the contact it counts as a foul.
Debate also arose in the 29th minute when another Portugal star Nuno Mendes already cautioned halted a Bayern break with his hand. Obviously the hosts called for a second yellow and dismissal. Yet it came to nothing.
Pinheiro apparently guided by the linesman granted a free kick to PSG after spotting a supposed handball from Laimer moments prior. Though broadcast footage failed to verify this distinctly.
"Why no red card? It baffles me. Why a penalty for us in Paris but not today? I understand the rules yet his arm was raised high," Kompany vented post match following Bayerns exit. "It seemed a handball ruling favoured them against us," he continued.
"Its quite unexpected that an official with just 15 Champions League games under his belt referees such a fixture. Perhaps that sheds light on certain calls this evening," Bayern executive Jan Christian Dreesen remarked to Sky Sport concerning Pinheiro.