FANS fumed that the Champions League is “FIXED” after Bayern Munich were denied a late leveller against Real Madrid in bizarre circumstances.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel raged that the “disaster” decision was “against the rules”.
The Bundesliga giants looked to be on the way to an all-German final at Wembley after Alphonso Davies had made it 1-0 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate.
But a late double from super-sub Joselu turned the tie on its head in the space of three minutes.
But the drama did not end there as Bayern launched one last attack in the 12th MINUTE of added time and found the back of the net.
A ball was launched into the Madrid box and headed down to centre-back Matthijs de Ligt.
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But just before the Dutchman hammered home, the whistle was blown after the offside flag had been raised.
Bayern players on the pitch and dugout fumed at the officials, in disbelief that play had not been allowed to continue before being reviewed.
Harry Kane was among those raging over the rapid whistle blowing with the England captain seen screaming at officials.
And replays revealed it would have been a super-tight offside decision had it gone to VAR.
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Tuchel said after the game: “We scored one and there was a disastrous decision from the linesman and the referee. It feels like a betrayal in the end.
“The linesman says sorry but that does not help. To raise the flag in a moment like this… The referee sees we get the second ball and we get the shot – it’s a very, very bad decision.
“It’s against the rules. It’s a disaster. It’s hard to swallow but that’s the way it is.”
Disappointed De Ligt told Movistar: “I don’t want to say that Real Madrid always has the referees with them but that made the difference today.
“Real, when you think they are dead, have a last breath… that is why they have 14 Champions Leagues.”
He later added: “The linesman told me: sorry, I made a mistake.”
Fans react
It was not only the Bayern staff that were unhappy as fans let their anger out online with one saying: “Champions league is fixed.”
Another added: “That was onside!!! Why would a ref raise his flag that quickly when you have VAR? Another UCL rigged for Madrid to win.”
One fumed: “How wasn’t that a goal for Bayern at the end? Ridiculous! They will rightly be outraged.”
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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believed the officials were too quick to call offside.
He said: “I’m not sure he’s offside. So the linesman is too hasty. He’s got to wait. Those are the rules.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
