Bayern Munich disallowed goal: Were Tuchel and Co stolen of a spot in final? Here is what the VAR rules say

It was yet another dramatic Champions League evening at Real Madrid’s famous homeSantiagoBernabéuasthe hosts booked their place in the final for a record 18th time in the competition’s history Wednesday (May 8).

An evening highlighted by a stoppage winner from Joselu for Real Madrid could have had more drama, had referee Szymon Marciniak allowed Bayern Munich’s goal in the 103rd minute to stand. The goal was not allowed to stand while the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), despitebeing onoffer, was not used.

Why was VAR not usedandwhat does the rule say?

With Bayern trailing 1-2 going deep into stoppage time, a long ball from the half linewas pickedby veteran Thomas Mullerwhichwas then passedto Matthijs de Ligt. Without wastinganytime, De Ligt fired his effort past the Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. However, referee Marciniak blew his whistle for an offside flagwhichwasraisedby an assistantmakingthe next phase of play void.

Since the whistle had blown when Muller received the ball, De Ligt’s phase of playwhichconsisted of thegoalwas ruled out.

According to rule books, VAR can only intervene in case of an offside if the entire phase is allowed tobe playedand results in a goal. But since the whistle had already gone beforethe goal had been scored, the VARwas unable tointervene.

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When can VAR come into play?

Had referee Marciniak not blown his whistle and allowed the play to continuewhichresulted in the goal, the VAR would havebeen called into check whether anyone was offside in the build-up.

Consideringthe whistle had been blown, Real goalkeeper Lunin hardly made any attempt to save the goal-bound effort of De Ligt.

Marciniak’s decision was more controversialconsideringthe referee’s assistantsare askedto hold down their flag in case of offside and allowplay to continuewhichcould be further reviewed by the VAR.

However,there was no such protocolfollowed in Wednesday evening’s matchwhichcould have seen Bayern take thematchinto extra time and a possible penalty shootout.

As things stand, Real will now play in the Champions Leaguefinalwhere they will face another German powerhouseBorussiaDortmundinLondon’s iconic Wembley Stadium on June 1.