During the Bayern Women's Champions League match against Manchester City, two flares appeared on the pitch, but Manchester City's goal was still allowed to stand.

A bizarre incident unfolded before Bayern Women conceded their first goal against Manchester City in the Champions League: in the 45th minute, as Klara Bühl ran down the right flank towards the penalty area, a flare emitting blue smoke suddenly landed on the pitch.

Referee Olatz Rivera Olmedo did not stop the match and allowed play to continue. The Manchester City full-back ran past the flare and passed the ball into the centre. After a few passes, the ball reached Beth Mead, who scored to make it 2-1 at that moment.

Bayern then expressed strong dissatisfaction, with the team not understanding why the referee did not halt the game due to the flare. Goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic was particularly agitated, waving her arms in protest. Fans at Sportpark Unterhaching also booed and whistled.

ZDF commentator Melli Schneidermann said: "This is a dangerous situation because there are fireworks on the pitch." After the goal, Rivera Olmedo personally moved the flare to near the touchline. A red smoke bomb was also thrown onto the pitch. Schneidermann added: "The Munich side believes the game should not have continued." The Video Assistant Referee checked the goal but found no infringement.

Bayern sporting director Bianca Rech told ZDF at halftime: "In my opinion, the referee absolutely should have stopped the game. The fireworks had been on the pitch for some time."

After the match, Giulia Gwinn, who scored Bayern's opening goal, was asked about the fireworks on the pitch. She said: "Of course it's frustrating. I don't think we should blame it for the loss. We made our own mistakes before conceding the goal; it had little to do with the fireworks, but it's still wrong to have something like that on the pitch. It has no place in football."

Red and blue are the club colours of SpVgg Unterhaching. Since Bayern completed the acquisition of Sportpark Unterhaching at the end of last year, Bayern Women have been playing their Champions League home matches there.

The flares were likely a protest action by Unterhaching supporters. As early as autumn 2024, after learning that the stadium would be acquired, spectators at SpVgg Unterhaching men's regional league matches had already expressed their dissatisfaction through collective silence and verbal protests.

Ultimately, Bayern Women drew 2-2 with Manchester City, having been 2-1 down at halftime. Manchester City's equaliser was scored by German player Carlotta Wamser in the 86th minute.

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com