Thomas Tuchel could face Uefa BAN, handing Man Utd a major managerial target dilemma

THOMAS TUCHEL could be banned from UEFA because of his Real Madrid referee.

And that could mean the German will not be able to take charge of Manchester United’s next European game if he gets the job at Old Trafford.

Tuchel was furious last night after Real Madrid produced a stunning late comeback to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 and reach the Champions League final, where they will face Borussia Dortmund.

The former Chelsea boss is still the bookmakers’ favorite to replace Erik ten Hag despite Bayern Munich’s failure to win a trophy for the first time since 2012.

And the threat of a Euro ban now hangs over him after he launched a post-match attack on Polish authorities following Wednesday’s controversial exit.

Assistant referee Tomasz Listkiewicz raised the flag against Noussair Mazraoui when the ball was thrown into the Real Madrid box in stoppage time.

When the ball was waved by Thomas Muller for Matthijs de Ligt to score, 2022 World Cup final referee Szymon Marciniak blew the whistle, ruling out the goal.

Video footage suggests the Bayern player was onside, but the decision was so close that the flag should not have gone up so soon.

Bayern’s players were left stunned, with Dutch defender de Ligt revealing that both referees had apologized to him.

In the post-match press conference, Tuchel said: “It’s against all the rules of modern football.

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“He also did it against Alfonso Davies when he was never sure.

“Having the courage, the courage, to raise the flag was a huge and wrong decision.

“So the referee had the opportunity not to blow the whistle, but he made the decision to blow the whistle.

“It wouldn’t have happened on the other side.”

UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body could now intervene and charge Tuchel for accusing both managers of bias against their team.

A decision is likely to be made early next week, although the fact that both managers have admitted a mistake is likely to see Tuchel avoid taking any action.

Even if he is punished, it may not affect him next season if he takes over at United.

The Red Devils are currently eighth in the Premier League table and face a fight to qualify for European football through the league.

But they also have the opportunity to reach the Europa League when they face Man City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 25.

Meanwhile, fans joked that Tuchel had “passed his Man Utd audition” after a series of substitutions backfired spectacularly at the Bernabeu.

Bayern looked to be in the running after Alphonso Davies’ rocket put them ahead with just 22 minutes to go.

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What are the experts’ stance on Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United?

Michael Owen – He has to go

“He cannot, he simply cannot, lead this team next season. He is not good enough.”

Teddy Sheringham – He can stay if he wins the World Cup, but he should go

“If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But for me, changes are needed and United need to make them as soon as possible.”

Jamie Carragher – fired

“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag will stay. It’s just performance after performance.”

Gary Neville – Stay if you win the FA Cup

“Firing a manager who won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club would be extreme.”

Louis Saha – On the fence

“I don’t see it so clearly, but they need changes from the players, but they also need changes from him.”

Alan Shearer – fired

“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager has already been determined. Even if they win the FA Cup, I think he is gone.”

They looked comfortable advancing to full-time and keeping Real Madrid at bay until disaster struck.

Real substitute Joselu equalized in the 88th minute after recovering a mistake by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Then, seconds later, the former Stoke City and Newcastle man’s flop finished from six yards to win 2-1.

The 34-year-old Spaniard’s introduction proved a masterstroke – but it wasn’t the only substitution that proved a major talking point.

Firstly, Tuchel brought on Kim Min-jae for striker Leroy Sane in the 76th minute despite the South Korean’s nightmare first leg last week, switching to three at the back.

But it was the decision to replace top scorer Kane, with 44 goals, who is still waiting for his first title, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, in the 86th minute, that left everyone perplexed.

However, Tuchel later told TNT Sports that the controversial changes were caused by injury.

He said: “We started with four strikers and all four had to come off with injury or cramps.

“Kane had back problems, it was no longer possible. All four at the front said they had to go.”

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