Indirect free kick instead of penalty?
The penalty situation at Bayern-Spektakel continues to cause discussions
Updated April 29, 2026 – 6:00 p.mReading time: 4 minutes
In the semi-final first leg of the Champions League, FC Bayern and PSG exchange blows. Joshua Kimmich then even calls for a change in the rules – and is not the first to do so.
It’s stoppage time in the first half of the Champions League semi-final first leg between FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. When Paris striker Ousmane Dembélé attempts to cross, Bayern’s Alphonso Davies receives the ball from close range in his own penalty area, first against his thigh and then against his hand. Referee Sandro Schärer initially allows the game to continue, but the video assistant reports – and according to the images, Schärer points to the spot. An extremely tough decision from Bayern’s point of view – with consequences: Paris converted the penalty to make it 3-2 and ultimately won 5-4.
This is also why Joshua Kimmich criticized the decision. After the game he said on Amazon Prime: “I didn’t see the hand penalty again, but it’s also rather unfortunate.” He criticized: “It’s just not in the spirit of sport.” There is no opponent behind Davies in the scene who can score a goal, said Kimmich. He even calls for a change in the rules: “I think we could adapt the rule so that not every handball in the penalty area is a penalty, because you get a ball from your knee to your hand and the penalty for that is very crucial in a Champions League semi-final,” said Kimmich.
In the video | She has been at Joshua Kimmich’s side for years
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For t-online columnist Stefan Effenberg there shouldn’t have been a penalty in the situation either. “When Paris’ Ousmane Dembélé crossed, the ball first hit Davies’ thigh and then hit the Canadian’s left arm. What is he supposed to do?” said Effenberg. “I completely agree with Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich, who after the game called for a change in the rules or at least an adjustment to the rules in order to prevent such decisions in the future. Because from the perspective of the players, but also for former players and fans, the current conditions are simply not in the spirit of football,” he also criticizes.
Ultimately, the referees only implemented “the confusing set of rules”. “Their hands are tied and they have little to no leeway,” says Effenberg. “The rules gag the referees, who are required to slavishly adhere to them. And I have to say it so clearly: what is written there is sometimes completely stupid, and not just with the handball rule,” he makes clear. Something has to change. “Because clearer, adapted rules would help everyone: the referees, who would be relieved of the burden. The players, who would finally know exactly where they stand. And also the fans, who would be able to understand the decisions better.”
