'Penalty? VAR?': Gary Lineker leads social media outrage as video officials don't even check for a penalty after Erling Haaland's goalbound shot was kept out by Jerome Boateng's elbow with Dortmund trailing 1-0 against Bayern Munich

Gary Lineker has led the social media outrage after Jerome Boateng's handball in Bayern Munich's victory over Borussia Dortmund went unpunished.

The German defender appeared to turn his back to Erling Haaland's shot, with the effort appearing to hit the centre back's elbow before being consequently deflected wide.

VAR did not intervene after the incident had occurred, with Dortmund seemingly keen to press on in search of an equaliser.
Social media was left outraged after defender Jerome Boateng's handball went unpunished

Replays showed the ball appeared to striker Bayern Munich centre-back Boateng on the elbow

But there was outrage on social media at the referee's failure to award Dortmund a spot-kick and a chance to level the score after Joshua Kimmich's opener.


The criticism was led by Match of the Day presenter Lineker, who said: 'Penalty? VAR?' before tweeting a video of the incident.

Many agreed with the former England star, with another Twitter user saying: 'Surely that's a handball from Boateng? Stops Haaland from scoring.'

It was Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland who had the shot leading to the incident

The effort was deflected wide but was not reviewed by the VAR team at Signal Iduna Park

Other viewers were also disappointed that VAR did not step in to review the decision, with another writing: 'The fact that Boateng 's elbow to the ball wasn't even REVIEWED for a possible penalty is an abomination !!!!!!!!!'

Another Twitter user however claimed that the absence of fans inside Signal Iduna Park contributed to the handball not being reviewed, stating: 'With a crowd imploring for a penalty for every single block, guarantee you refs go to VAR for the Boateng block.

'Players would have likely paused and forced a replay as well. Interesting to see how the absence of fans has had an impact on even the slightest of details.'




Former BT Sport commentator Derek Rae however provided possibly the most balanced argument, writing: 'Not sure it’s a stonewall penalty, but can video assistant intervene? Yes, but falls within the grey zone.

'Fact is BVB got on with the game before it could really be examined. Clear and obvious error though? Would say no.'

Bayern's win over Dortmund saw them go seven points clear at the top of the table, putting a severe dent in Lucien Favre's men's title hopes.