Experts Weigh In on Controversial Handball Incident in PSG’s Penalty Area

The Champions League semi-final second leg between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain was marked by notable controversy in the penalty area. A pivotal moment arose when the ball struck PSG midfielder João Neves’s hand, leading to immediate penalty appeals from the Bayern players and fans at the Allianz Arena.

However, refereeing experts from Archivo VAR reviewed the incident and supported the on-field referee’s decision not to award a penalty kick. They concluded that Neves’s actions were not punishable under the current rules.

According to a consensus among the specialists, Neves instinctively attempted to protect himself after Vitinha executed a controlled clearance, resulting in the ball hitting his arm from close range. The experts emphasized that, under IFAB rules, a handball offense is not applicable when the ball strikes a player’s hand after a direct shot from a teammate in such conditions, even if the arm is partially extended.

Consequently, it was determined that no penalty should be awarded against PSG, as they maintained a 1–0 lead at that moment in the match.