Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published on Thursday, 07 May 2026, 08:10 / Updated on Thursday, 07 May 2026 08:19
legendary Thierry Henry (48 years old) vehemently criticized the refereeing style of the “central” Joao Pinheiro from the second leg of the Champions League semi-final from Bayern Munich and PSGended with a score of 1-1. The Parisians qualified for the grand final thanks to the victory in the round at home, score 5-4.
In the 31st minute of the match, Joao Neves, inside his own box, was hit by the ball in his hand from Vitinha's clearance. The Portuguese referee, a compatriot of the two PSG players involved in the phase, did not award a penalty kick, considering that Neves had no intention.
This aspect was harshly criticized by the Bavarians' technician, Vincent Kompany, but also by former international Thierry Henry.
Thierry Henry vehemently criticized the refereeing in Bayern – PSG: “It was a clear penalty”
“The referees don't realize that there are certain decisions that they have to look at the most carefully. In a huge game like this, you have to get almost every decision right. How is it not a penalty? Neves' hand is away from his body and the ball was going straight for a Bayern player. It was a clear penalty.
The touch is obvious. The referee can apologize afterwards, but that doesn't change anything for the players or the result. These are decisive moments. You just have to get them right. An apology will not qualify them“, said Thierry Henry on CBS Sports.
PSG thus qualified for the final of the Champions League where they will meet Arsenal, the team where Thierry Henry wrote history.
The former French international captained the Gunners in Arsenal's first Champions League final in 2006, losing 1-2 to Barcelona.
However, Henry managed to add a Champions League trophy to his CV, won in a Barcelona shirt in 2009, when the Catalans won 2-0 in the final against Manchester United.
