Real Madrid's elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich continues to generate repercussions in a match marked by refereeing controversy, and one of the harshest voices has been that of Oliver Kahn.
The former goalkeeper for the German club criticized the way the Whites typically react when refereeing decisions do not go their way.
Kahn lashes out at Real Madrid
The match at the Allianz Arena ended 4-3 (6-4), with goals from Pavlovic, Harry Kane, Luis Díaz, and Michael Olise dashing Real Madrid's hopes of a comeback and a spot in the semifinals, despite two goals from Arda Güler and one from Kylian Mbappé.
However, the Merengues' complaints about the refereeing were loud and clear. Dani Carvajal was one of the most vocal critics of Slavko Vincic’s officiating, and he exploded after Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in the 86th minute for a controversial second yellow card and Luis Díaz’s goal made it 3-3: “It's your fault! It's your f***ing fault!” he shouted at him. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa also complained about the referee: “He's ruined the tie.”
However, the former Bayern goalkeeper did not hesitate to speak out against this attitude, which, in his words, is nothing new whenever things don’t go their way:
"We have to put a stop to this,” Kahn stated emphatically on ZDF (via SuperDeporte): “They can't keep getting away with it. It always ends in chaos when things don't go their way,” he explained.
They act as if every correct refereeing decision has to go their way.
Furthermore, the former goalkeeper noted that this isn't the first time this has happened and compared the situation to the complaints Bayern faced last season:
"Tonight was no different. Last year they did the same thing to us, and here we are again this season. That's unacceptable, and it has to stop,” he recalled, then added:
Honestly, that says a lot about how they've managed to win 15 UEFA Champions League titles.
This incident adds to a general atmosphere of tension surrounding refereeing in the Champions League. In recent days, both Real Madrid itself and other major European clubs (such as Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid) have expressed their dissatisfaction with various decisions, reigniting a recurring debate.
Meanwhile, Bayern Múnich already has its sights set on the first leg of the semifinals, where it will face Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, April 28, at 3:00 PM ET at Parc des Princes, while the second leg will be played in Germany at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, May 6, at the same time.
