UEFA Champions League semifinal: Why Bayern Munich did not receive a penalty despite Joao Neves handball appeal

Bayern Munich fell behind early in the second leg of its UEFA Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain and had a major penalty appeal turned down after the half-hour mark at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

During the incident (32 min’), Vitinha’s clearance appeared to strike Joao Neves on the arm inside the box, prompting Bayern players to surround the referee in protest.

Follow live updates from the match by clicking here

However, according to IFAB Law 12 of the Laws of the Game, it is not considered a handball offence when:

“A player is hit on the hand/arm by the ball which has been played by a team-mate, unless the ball goes directly into the opponents’ goal or the player scores immediately afterwards, in which case a direct free-kick or penalty is awarded to the other team.”

Published on May 07, 2026