Bayern Munich Supporters Irate After Late UCL Equalizer Wasn't Sent to VAR

Karl Rasmussen | May 8, 2024

Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt is ruled offside during Champions League semifinal vs. Real Madrid. / Screenshot via Paddy Power on X

The Champions League semifinal between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid ended in some controversy when a late equalizing goal for the German side was called off after the assistant referee prematurely raised his flag for an offside violation.

Matthijs de Ligt was on the receiving end of a brilliant pass behind the defense, which he squared away for what would've been an equalizing goal in the 103rd minute of the game, the 13th minute of added time.

Because the linesman raised his flag early, the play was technically dead before de Ligt's goal, and was thus unable to be reviewed by VAR. Bayern would go on to lose 4–3 on aggregate scoring, as Los Blancos booked their ticket to the Champions League Final.

Naturally, fans of Bayern Munich were irate over the officiating in the final moments of the game, and they, along with other incandescent soccer fans, made their voices heard on social media in the aftermath of what can best be described as a an officiating travesty.

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This is not offside.

pic.twitter.com/OJZGbcZnAO

— Bayern & Football (@MunichFanpage) May 8, 2024

Ref: “Check if it was actually offside?”

VAR: “Nah.” pic.twitter.com/ykcbGLEapX

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 8, 2024

This is why you don’t blow up for offside when it isn’t obvious

— Ben Crellin (@BenCrellin) May 8, 2024

We complain about referees not putting up their flags when it’s offside, but I’d rather they play it out after watching that. Bayern were robbed.

— - (@AnfieldRd96) May 8, 2024

Shocking from the linesman that like. See people 5 yards offside and wait to put the flag up but someone who’s onside gets flagged in the last minute during a dangerous attack? Corrupt as fuck.

— KP (@paarsons) May 8, 2024

awful from the assistant ref to raise his flag at the end. you have been advised to allow the play to continue until the end. offside or not that is unforgiving from the linesman. fact > opinion

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 8, 2024

Nah but that was a MASSIVE referee mistake here, how does he stop the play before the attack is over??? I applauded Marciniak before but here he might have cost Bayern the game. Because I‘m doubting this was offside.

— 𝗙𝗜𝗔𝗚𝗢 (@fiago7) May 8, 2024