Granit Xhaka calls out Michael Oliver in post-match interview after controversial penalty during Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka has publicly questioned Michael Oliver’s decision to award Bayern Munich a penalty during their Champions League last 16 clash.

Bayern Munich head into next week’s second leg at the BayArena with a three goal advantage after goals from Harry Kane [2] and Jamal Musiala sealed a 3-0 win.

It was a relatively straightforward evening for Vincent Kompany’s side, who will expect to progress to the quarter-final stage of this season’s competition following the result on Wednesday night.

But whether they should be three goals ahead is up for debate. With 15 minutes of normal time remaining, referee Michael Oliver pointed to spot after Edmond Tapsoba dragged Kane to the ground.

It was a decision that sparked a furious reaction from several Leverkusen players, including former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, who threw his arms up in anger before a VAR check upheld the call.

After the penalty was awarded and defender Jonathan Tah was booked for his protests, Kane cooly slotted past Matej Kovar to make it 3-0.

In his post-match media duties, a frustrated Xhaka suggested Michael Oliver would have waved away the same incident in England as it happens on a regular basis in the Premier League.

“In the Premier League, he doesn’t give that. I spent seven years there and know Michael. I’m convinced he wouldn’t whistle it in the Premier League,’ Xhaka told reporters, as per the Daily Mail.

“There are so many blocks in the Premier League that today it was nothing. It’s a bit disappointing from him to whistle such a penalty at this level and probably decide the game. If you give a penalty for every block, there would be so many penalties every game.”

Oliver has hit headlines of late following a number of incidents, including his decision to dismiss Liverpool manager Arne Slot after last month’s Merseyside derby.

Bayern were awarded a penalty after Tapsoba brought down Kane. Image credit: X/@RedCardGiven

Slot was handed a two-match ban and fined £70,000 by an Independent Football Association commission for acting in an improper manner and using insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards both the referee and an assistant referee.

While shaking the official’s hand, Oliver claims Slot said: “If we don’t win the league, I’ll f****** blame you.”