Mesut Ozil’s Equalizer Disallowed, Removed From Scoreboard (Video)

Bayern Munich scored early rather easily despite Arsenal looking their equal. Naturally, it came from Robert Lewandowski. However, Arsenal came right back on the counter and seemed to have equalized when a Nacho Monreal cross ricocheted off of Mesut Ozil’s upper shoulder. The score read 1-1 but after heavy protests from Bayern Munich, the goal was removed from the scoreboard and Ozil was given a yellow card.

The ball clearly strikes Mesut Ozil‘s shoulder but to say that he made a conscious attempt to shoulder the ball into the net is a questionable accusation. His arm was there simply because that is where the arm meets the body. If having an arm is a yellow card and a disallowed goal, then fair game, yellow him. But Ozil through his torso at the ball and it went into the net, no foul there.

As mentioned, Arsenal had looked Bayern’s equal and counter attacked brilliantly. But to have the referee literally yank a goal off of the score board is enough to set a team back and Arsenal felt that, as they surrendered just ten minutes later. Take a look at the ruling:

You always hate to blame a referee for a turning point in such a crucial game, but having the score read 1-1 to having it read 2-0 in a span of 15 minutes is a bit disheartening. Mesut Ozil pulled his arm back, it was clear shoulder, which you are allowed to use.

Whatever the case. It is over now and Bayern Munich appear to be cruising. What do you think reader? Was Mesut Ozil at fault here? If the rule is that it can hit yours shoulder, than isn’t Mesut Ozil innocent of any sort of handball? And for that matter, did Mesut Ozil really deserve a yellow card?

The referee clearly shows no indication of ruling a handball until the complaints start ringing into this ears.