Matthijs de Ligt claims referee apologised to him for 'mistake' that cost Bayern place in UCL final
Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt makes the claim Photograph:( X )
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The offside on the De Ligt goal looked close to the naked eye but since the whistle was blown, VAR could not involve itself in the recheck process
The offside on the De Ligt goal looked close to the naked eye but since the whistle was blown, VAR could not involve itself in the recheck process
Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt has claimed that the linesman apologised to him for disallowing the goal that could have levelled the Champions League semifinal tie against Real Madrid on Wednesday (May 9). De Ligt scored the contentious goal in the stoppage time but it was ruled out as the linesman had raised the offside flag.
Speaking after the match, the Dutchman rued that the lapse of judgement from the referee had cost his team a place in the UCL final.
“The linesman said to me, ‘I’m sorry, I made a mistake,’” De Ligt said
“The rule says that if it’s not clear offside...you have to keep playing. And if you go in the last minute and you whistle like this, I think this is a big mistake. If it’s offside or not, I don’t know, VAR can check it, but if you don’t check it, how can you see it? This is a shame.”
The offside on the De Ligt goal looked close to the naked eye but since the whistle was blown, VAR could not involve itself in the recheck process.
Tuchel slams referees
De Ligt's sentiments were echoed by manager Thomas Tuchel who said it was a 'disaster' that the referee chalked off the goal.
"I think it's pretty clear and there is no doubt that is against the rules of modern football. A disaster. An absolute disaster," said Tuchel.
"Very difficult. Of course, as sportspeople we accept it. But it is a semi-final, it's not for two such violations of the rule. Everyone has to be at their limit. The referees have to be there as well. That is what we expect. So the apology does not really help."
Meanwhile, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti shrugged off the controversy saying a similar goal was ruled out for his side when Nacho scored from inside the box.
“The last play is clear, the referee blows the whistle and we stop,” he said. “This referee is very good, he refereed in a World Cup final. They complain about this and we complain about the goal by Nacho that was disallowed. Kimmich threw himself to the ground.”
Also read | Real Madrid stun Bayern Munich with late fightback to enter UEFA Champions League final
The Madrid win means the record UCL holders will have a shot at a 15th title when they square up against underdogs, Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on June 1.
(With inputs from agencies)
