During the Women's Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Manchester City, two flares appeared on the pitch, yet Manchester City's goal was still counted as valid.

An unusual incident occurred before Manchester City's first goal against Bayern Munich Women in the Champions League: In the 45th minute, as a Manchester City defender ran down the right flank toward the penalty box, a flare emitting blue smoke suddenly landed on the pitch.

Referee Olatz Rivera Olmedo did not stop the match but allowed it to continue. The Manchester City full-back ran past the flare and crossed the ball to the center. After several passes, the ball reached Beth Mead, who scored to make it 2-1.

Bayern subsequently expressed strong displeasure, with the team unable to understand why the referee did not halt play due to the flare. Goalkeeper Ena Mahmutović was visibly agitated, repeatedly signaling with outstretched arms. Supporters at Sportpark Unterhaching also booed and whistled.

ZDF commentator Meli Schneidermann said: "This is a dangerous situation because there is a flare on the pitch." After the goal, Rivera Olmedo personally moved the flare to the sideline. A red smoke bomb was also seen thrown onto the pitch. Schneidermann added: "The Munich team believes the match should not have continued." The Video Assistant Referee reviewed the goal but found no issue.

Bayern's director of sport, Bianca Rech, stated in a ZDF interview during halftime: "In my opinion, the referee should have stopped the match. The flares were on the pitch for several seconds."

After the match, Giulia Gwinn, who scored Bayern's first goal (1-0), was also asked about the flares on the pitch. She said: "Of course it's distracting. I don't think we should blame that. We made our own mistakes before conceding the goal, and it wasn't really related to the flares, but it's still bad to have something like that on the pitch. It shouldn't happen in football."

Red and blue are SpVgg Unterhaching's club colors. Since Bayern completed the acquisition of Sportpark Unterhaching in late 2024, Bayern Munich Women have played their home Champions League matches there.

These flares were likely a protest action by Unterhaching supporters. Even in autumn 2024, after learning that the stadium would be acquired, spectators at regional league matches of SpVgg Unterhaching's men's team had expressed their displeasure through collective silence and derisive chanting.

Ultimately, Bayern Munich Women drew 2-2 with Manchester City, with the first half ending 2-1. Manchester City's equalizing goal was scored by German player Carlotta Wamser in the 86th minute.

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