Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel rages at referee for 'kid's mistake' confession after thrilling Arsenal draw

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel rages at referee for 'kid's mistake' confession after thrilling Arsenal draw

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 10/04/2024

- 08:13

Updated: 10/04/2024

- 10:59

The Champions League showdown at the Emirates Stadium ended 2-2

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has raged at the referee following his side's 2-2 draw with Arsenal, with the German feeling his side were denied a penalty.

Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane netted for the Bundesliga giants, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard notching for the Gunners.


Arsenal felt they should have had a penalty at the death after Saka went down in the box following a collision with Manuel Neuer.

But Tuchel also feels Bayern should have been given a second spot-kick of the night as well.

Bayern Munich Thomas Tuchel Arsenal

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has raged following his side's 2-2 Champions League draw with Arsenal

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In the 66th minute, David Raya played a goal kick to Gabriel who then handled the ball.

Yet nothing was given and the match continued as normal.

Now, speaking after the match, Tuchel has raged and claimed the referee told him he wouldn't be giving a penalty because it was a 'kid's mistake'.

"For me, for all of us, he (the referee) made a huge mistake not giving the handball penalty," he said.

"I know it is a crazy situation but they put the ball down, he whistles, he gives the ball and the defender (Gabriel) takes the ball in his hand.

"What makes us really angry is the explanation on the field.

"He told our players that it is a, 'Kid’s mistake' and he will not give a penalty like this in a quarter-final.

"This is a horrible, horrible explanation. He is judging handbells.

"Kid’s mistake, adult’s mistake. Whatever. We feel angry because it is a huge decision against us."

TNT Sport pundits Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown sympathised with Tuchel and felt the Bayern boss had every right to be aggrieved.

Analysing the incident, Ferdinand said: "It's a pen, oh my gosh. How can that not be given?

"I was so adamant that Saka's one was, I'm even more for this.

"It's unbelievable. How can he blow the whistle like that and not give it?"

Keown added: "The referee is maybe a little bit out of his depth.

"We thought he had a decent game, but there's key moments in the game that both teams can look at."

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Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel wanted a penalty during his side's Champions League draw with Arsenal

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, was coy when asked about Neuer's late challenge on Saka.

The Gunners winger was livid at full time, protesting the decision not to award a penalty.

Yet Arteta opted against criticising the referee, with the Spaniard saying: "I haven't seen it.

"The decision has been made, we cannot change that.

"Yeah for sure (can sympathise with Saka’s reaction) if he had that belief that it was a penalty, for sure."

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Arsenal also feel they should have had a penalty during their Champions League draw with Bayern Munich on Tuesday night

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He continued: "In the Champions League you cannot give anything to the opponent, we have given two goals today.

"When you have these situations they are going to punish you. That’s the biggest lesson.

"I sense the belief that we’re going to go to Munich and we’re going to have the chance to win it and we’re going to be better in certain areas.

"That’s how we’re going to prepare for it."

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