Bayern exit in the Champions League
The absurdity of the hand rule
Updated on May 7, 2026 – 2:28 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
There was a controversial hand scene during FC Bayern’s semi-final exit in the Champions League. t-online looks at the rule book and explains why the decision is right and wrong.
In the Champions League semi-final between FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, an alleged handball caused confusion. An attempt by the Parisians to clear the ball bounces off João Neves’ outstretched arm in their own penalty area. The Bayern players vehemently demand a penalty. But the Portuguese referee, João Pinheiro, allows the game to continue.
For the 2025/26 season, the rules list three central criteria for a punishable handball. An offense occurs when a player intentionally moves his hand or arm toward the ball. An unnatural increase in body surface area can also be punished. This refers to arm positions that do not arise from the natural movement of the respective action. In addition, any immediate goal scoring after a hand touch remains punishable – even if the touch was unintentional.
The case when a player is shot by himself or his teammate is particularly frequently discussed. According to a guide on the interpretation of the handball rule for referees from the International Football Association Board (IFAB), no offense should be punished in this case. The requirement is intended to prevent players from being punished from close range in unpredictable situations. The IFAB creates the international rules and guides the referees’ interpretation of the rules.
However, this guide makes the interpretation of the handball rule particularly complicated. If the rebound does not significantly change the direction of the ball, if a player makes an active movement towards the ball despite the rebound or if the arm is already clearly unnaturally spread apart from the body, a handball can still be decided. The general criteria therefore remain crucial.
In the critical scene in the Champions League semi-finals, a different interpretation of the rule would have been possible. The PSG player’s arm was stretched far away from his body. However, it is also correct to consider the handball as unintentional and not punishable due to the shot from one’s own teammate.
