Real Madrid break UEFA rules as referee rules out Champions League goal

Real Madrid broke Champions League rules by showing a replay of a controversial incident prior to a VAR decision being made by referee Szymon Marciniak. In a dramatic victory over Bayern Munich, Los Blancos believed they had equalised on the night and in the tie against their German opposition, but the goal was subsequently chalked off.

Bayern defender Matthijs de Ligt turned a wayward strike into his own net in the 71st minute. However, replays showed that Real star Nacho had shoved Joshua Kimmich to the floor in the build up.

As Real’s players wheeled away to celebrate, it became clear that the incident would be reviewed by VAR. Kimmich might have been able to block the initial shot by Federico Valverde had he not been on the floor.

Marciniak was told to review the footage on the pitch-side monitor by his colleagues. Meanwhile, clearly not wise to the developments on the pitch, Real continued to show replays of the goal on the big screen inside the stadium.

IFAB reiterated at the start of the season that replays of major incidents should not be replayed inside stadiums until a final decision is made. It allows referees to make an objective decision based on what they are being shown on the pitch-side monitor.

Clubs are free to replay the incident once the decision has been communicated by the referee.

But Marciniak had not finished reviewing the footage by the time Real had replayed the incident. TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher said: “I tell you what they don’t often do, they don’t often show it to the crowd on the screens – but they have in here. I thought there was some kind of rule against that happening. Everybody inside the stadium has seen it!”

The incident came just minutes after Real target Alphonso Davies thrashed home the opening goal of the game, with Bayern taking a 3-2 lead on aggregate. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were not deterred by the offside goal as they came from behind to win 4-3 in the tie.

A late brace by former Stoke and Newcastle forward Joselu turned the tie around. The Spanish giants have denied the prospect of an all-German Champions League final at Wembley Stadium on June 1.

Real will play Borussia Dortmund in London and could win their 15th Champions League title, and their sixth in 10 years.