Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Monday, March 16, 2026, 2:18 p.m. / Updated Monday, March 16, 2026, 2:19 p.m.
Bayern's bosses had their cup filled after the champions were clearly disadvantaged by the referee in Leverkusen (1-1).
The return with Atalanta from the “eighths” of the League took a back seat in Munich, and not necessarily because Bayern won the first leg 6-1. 3 days later, the German champion only drew in Leverkusen (1-1), following a hostile refereeing, and started a real war with the German Federation.
Kicker gives 5 to referee Christian Dingert: “He was wrong to disallow Harry Kane's goal and to send off Luis Diaz”
In its analysis today, the prestigious bi-weekly Kicker sportmagazin gave 5 (very weak) to “central” Christian Dingert and commented on all his decisions during the match. “Overall, the referee's handling of this match was inadequate.
Tah's goal disallowance (26th minute) and Jackson's dismissal (42nd minute) were correct. However, disallowing Harry Kane's goal for an alleged foul (61st minute) was wrong.
Diaz was lucky not to receive a red card for his high-footed tackle on Aleix Garcia, The yellow card he received (no – following that foul) was as appropriate as it gets (74th minute). His dismissal at the end, with a second yellow card, was too harsh.
His contact with Blaswich was by no means enough for a penalty, but the showing of a second yellow card for it was excessive (84th minute)“, considers the mentioned publication.
Bayern have appealed the suspension of Luis Diaz
Dingert himself admitted he was wrong to send Luis Diaz off, and Bayern's management decided to appeal his suspension for Saturday's game against Union Berlin.
But the club's bosses did not stop there and launched a wave of attacks on the leadership of the German referee. Honorary chairman Uli Honess told tabloid Bild that “it was the worst refereeing I've seen in a Bundesliga match”.
Jan-Christian Dreesen: “We are following the developments of the last weeks with concern”
And chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen expressed concern about the quality of the playmakers after Bayern were disadvantaged in two other away games, at Hamburg and Dortmund: “We are following developments in recent weeks with concern.
What happened in Leverkusen was the culmination of a period in which we were repeatedly faced with questionable decisions. Whether it's Hamburg, Dortmund or Leverkusen – there have always been controversial incidents that have often been settled against us.”
Dreesen called on the Federation (DFB) to “improve the performance level of its referees. Christian Dingert's acknowledgment of the mistake is honourable, but that in itself does not help us”.
Bundesliga referees chief: “Harry Kane increased contact area, Luis Diaz's sending off was incorrect”
The reaction of Knut Kircher, the head of the Bundesliga referees? “Christian Dingert correctly analyzed the play and concluded that Kane increased the area of contact. Therefore, he considered it a handball. The yellow-red card for Díaz was unfortunately incorrect, even if from the referee's point of view it looked like a simulation.
Christian Dingert also admitted his mistake. As for Uli Honess's statement on refereeing, he has seen many matches over time. It's his opinion. I won't prove him right, but I won't contradict him either”, commented Kircher.
Up-to-date standings in the Bundesliga
