"They are the rules!" - Paul Scholes agrees with furious Bayern Munich protests

Paul Scholes suggested that Bayern Munich were within their rights to be angered by a late offside flag in their defeat to Real Madrid.

The Germans conceded twice late on as the Spanish giants turned the tie on its head, but deep into stoppage time Bayern found a goal that would’ve forced extra-time. Matthijs de Ligt produced a smart finish, but the linesman’s flag had already gone up with the referee whistling.

As a result the Real keeper didn’t attempt to save the effort, but replays showed the decision was a marginal one. Usual protocol now, with VAR in place, is for linesmen to keep their flags down unless the offside is clear, so as to allow VAR to intervene if necessary.

But the decision to quickly flag for offside meant the officials couldn’t go back and check with replays suggesting Bayern’s players were onside and the goal should’ve been given, leading to mass protests on the touchline.

Scholes said on TNT Sports: “I think the linesman puts his flag up too early to be honest. His flag goes up straight away. It is close, we know the defender heads it, even the one in behind De Ligt, I’m not sure he’s offside. The linesman is too hasty, he’s got to wait, they’re the rules! I do think the keeper stop, it is a great finish, would he have saved it anyway?”

Alphonso Davies had opened the scoring on the night, putting Bayern 1-0 up in Madrid and 3-2 ahead of aggregate. Joselu then scored twice, first in the 89th minute and then again moments later to send the Bernabeu into raptures and set up a Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund.

It means Thomas Tuchel will depart the German club this summer without winning a trophy this season, but he and his players were left seething at the call.

Bayern Munich squandered their lead late on to go out of the Champions League

After the game he said “it was a very, very bad decision” and “against the rules”. The ex-Chelsea coach went on to say: “There was a disastrous decision from the linesman and the referee. It feels like a betrayal in the end. The linesman says sorry but that does not help. To raise the flag in a moment like this… The referee sees we get the second ball and we get the shot. It’s hard to swallow but that’s the way it is.”

Tuchel also confirmed referee Szymon Marciniak had apologised but that it “does not help” with his team out of Europe. “Everyone has to go to their limit, everyone has to suffer, everyone has to play without making mistakes. So the referee has to be at that level too,” he added.

“It just doesn’t help to make excuses after the fact. You are on the field for this reason, because you are the best there is. And we have the right to expect that until the end.”

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