Two Controversial Calls: Why No Penalty or Red Card for Bayern

The first half of the Champions League semifinal second leg between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain at the Allianz Arena has been marred by two highly contentious decisions that could have swung the tie. UEFA appointed Portuguese referee João Pinheiro to officiate the crucial match, which will determine who faces Arsenal in the final.

The first flashpoint occurred in midfield when Nuno Mendes handled the ball, disrupting a dangerous Bayern attack. Mendes had already been booked early in the match for a violent challenge on Bayern's Olise, and Bayern players clamored for a second yellow card and a sending-off. Pinheiro, however, declined, ruling that the initial foul had been committed by a Bayern player.

The second, and far more controversial, incident saw the ball strike João Neves's hand inside the PSG penalty area. Pinheiro again waved away Bayern's penalty appeals, sparking furious protests from the home side.

According to the network ArchivoVAR, the sequence began with a clearance from Vitinha. The ball then struck the Portuguese midfielder's arm as he attempted to protect himself. "Regardless of whether the arm was extended or not, this type of handball is not punishable under the law," the network explained, justifying the referee's decision.

The first leg at the Parc des Princes ended in a 5-4 victory for PSG, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of tonight's decisive return fixture.