Why PSV's controversial opener against Girona in the Champions League was allowed to stand despite calls for a foul throw

The little-known reason why PSV's opening Champions League goal against Girona was allowed to stand has been revealed.

After a week-long break while Carabao Cup fixtures were played, the Champions League returned on Tuesday for the fourth match day of the brand new format.

In the first set of fixtures for the round, Dutch champions PSV scored a controversial early opener as they welcomed Ligue 1 side Girona to the Phillips Stadium in Eindhoven.

And now, the exact reason why the bizarre goal stood has been revealed.

In the 16th minute of the match, PSV defender Ryan Flamingo opened the scoring with a header coming off of a long throw-in from teammate Malik Tillman.

However, after seeing the goal many pointed out that Tillman appeared to clearly be outside of the sidelines, making the throw-in a foul and therefore making the goal illegitimate.

But after the goal was given, it was revealed that the reason why it was able to stand was because the back studs of the American international were still touching the line when he threw the ball in, making the goal legal.

Just 17 minutes later, Tillman himself found the back of the net, doubling the host's lead going into half-time.

Should the Dutch side maintain their lead in the game and take the three points, it will take them provisionally into 19th out of the 36 sides on the Champions League table, with almost every team yet to play their fourth game.

Meanwhile Girona will sit in 26th, outside of the crucial play-off spots given to teams placed between 9th and 24th.

A win for PSV would be their first in this year's competition, having lost their opening game to Serie A giants Juventus before securing back to back 1-1 draws with Sporting CP and Paris Saint-Germain.

Girona secured their first points last time out in the Champions League after beating Slovakian side ŠK Slovan Bratislava 2-0 at home.

Prior to the win, the French club lost to both Feyenoord and PSG in their first matches of the 2024 European season.

Later on Tuesday night, several European giants will face off including Real Madrid who host AC Milan and Liverpool, who welcome Xabi Alonso back to Anfield for their match against Beyer Leverkusen.