Referee João Pinheiro was the focus of Bayern’s semi-final second leg against PSG in the Champions League. Bayern felt disadvantaged – partly rightly so, says DFB referee instructor Lutz Wagner to Sportschau.
FC Bayern were annoyed by three scenes in the first half.
23rd minute: Harry Kane offside?
In the 23rd minute, Pinheiro whistled back Harry Kane for an offside position during a promising cross run to the left. The TV images did not clearly resolve the scene, but the referee failed to allow the game to continue, says referee instructor Lutz Wagner in an interview with Sportschau, “since it is a dangerous attacking situation”.
A so-called “delay” should have occurred. “And then it can always be checked afterwards”says Wagner.
29th minute: Handball by Konrad Laimer or Nuno Mendes?
PSG player Nuno Mendes received the ball on the arm in a duel with Konrad Laimer. It would probably have been a yellow-red card that could have helped Bayern get back into the game. But Pinheiro recognized a handball from Laimer just before (29′).
However, the television images did not show any handball by Laimer. If it wasn’t a handball by Laimer, says referee Wagner, “then it’s yellow-red”.
Joshua Kimmich and Luis Diaz with referee Joao Pinheiro
31st minute: Handball from Joao Neves?
Everything seemed clear at first when PSG player Joao Neves received the ball on his bent arm in his own penalty area. But the expectation of a penalty whistle for Bayern – especially in view of the dispute over handball in the first leg – was not fulfilled.
Vitinha shot Joao Neves on the spread arm in his own penalty area during an attempt to clear the ball. But referee Pinheiro immediately waved him off – and rightly so. “If your teammate is hit in the arm or hand while attempting to clear from your own penalty area, it is standard interpretation of the rules in UEFA and the DFB not to decide on handball“says Wagner.
Two bad luck for Bayern
The conclusion remains: Bayern can see themselves at a twofold disadvantage when it comes to the decisions. They were deprived of a promising attack – but above all, possibly a game with the advantage for around an hour.
Pinheiro is also going to the World Cup
João Pinheiro is 38 years old. The Portuguese was promoted to UEFA’s elite category in the second half of the 2024/25 season. This is UEFA’s highest category.
Bayern’s semi-final second leg against Paris was his 16th game in the Champions League. He refereed some high-profile games this season such as Inter Milan against Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven against Bayern.
Pinheiro has also convinced FIFA: He is on the list of referees who will officiate games at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
