Bayern’s left-back Alphonso Davies accidentally touched a cross from Dembele in the Bavarian penalty area with his hand from close range. The gesture was completely unintentional, initially cushioned by the player’s hip before the ball bounced off his arm. Nevertheless, referee Carlos del Cerro Grande reviewed the footage and ultimately awarded a penalty.
“The left arm extends and increases the blocking surface. In my opinion, it is indeed a punishable handball, as the body surface is enlarged. Based on these images, it is a correct decision,” analyzes Lutz Wagner, an expert in refereeing on Prime, supporting the referee according to the regulations. However, Kimmich had a different opinion: “It’s really annoying because there isn’t even an opponent behind to score. In my opinion, this rule should be reviewed,” emphasized the 31-year-old midfielder. He argues that “every handball in the penalty area should not automatically result in a penalty, but that another solution should be found. The ball bounces off the knee onto the hand and the punishment is very harsh, especially in the Champions League semi-final.”
FCB coach Vincent Kompany also considered the penalty scene “very questionable.” Sporting director Max Eberl stated in the mixed zone: “We can discuss this at length. The ball first touches the body, then the hand. That’s why it should not have been whistled. But what’s the point of getting upset now, unfortunately, he did blow the whistle.”
Prime’s consultants and former internationals Christoph Kramer and Mats Hummels also expressed their disagreement: “It’s still the super slow-motion, it’s the worst in football, everything looks much worse,” critiqued Kramer. Hummels added: “After the shot, the hand moves like that, which worsens the impression. The ball bounces off the hip, I always thought that a penalty should not be awarded in this case.”
