After FC Bayern’s Bundesliga match against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend, the controversial refereeing performance was the main topic of discussion. Max Eberl has now spoken out and defended the Munich team’s criticism, explaining the club’s motives.
The main cause of the furore was the yellow card against Luis Díaz, who was sent off for an alleged foul.
In the run-up to the Champions League match against Atalanta Bergamo, Eberl made it clear why the record champions took such a clear stance. „We simply wanted to show that this yellow card was wrong,“ he said. He also emphasized: „We were already disadvantaged against Leverkusen and now we don’t have our player again in the next game – even though the decision was wrong.“
The scene involving Díaz had had a decisive impact on the game and caused great displeasure among the Munich players. Afterwards, referee Christian Dingert admitted that his decision was probably incorrect, but that did not change the verdict. An appeal by Munich was unsuccessful.
Uli Hoeneß was particularly outspoken after the 1:1 draw against Leverkusen. The honorary president sharply criticized the refereeing team’s performance and declared: „This is the worst performance by a refereeing team that I have ever seen in a Bundesliga match.“ Hoeneß had to take some criticism for his strong words.
Eberl backed this line and emphasized that the public statement was deliberately chosen. „We simply didn’t think it was correct,“ he explained and made it clear that such situations would not simply be accepted.
„Other of my colleagues do that too“
The sports director also gave a clear answer to the question about a calmer approach. „We have a great communicator in Vincent. Nevertheless, everyone has the right to say something. You also speak your mind. People are allowed to speak their mind here, that’s completely normal.“
Eberl did not leave criticism from the Bundesliga, including from Union Berlin’s managing director Horst Heldt, unanswered. He pointed to different standards of perception: „When Bayern say something – and sometimes we can’t help it – it’s extremely hyped up and commented on again in three newspapers.“
The 52-year-old also drew a comparison with the competition and added: „Other of my colleagues do the same. How often have they said: ‚The VAR must be abolished‘. It is then mentioned briefly once. At Bayern, it is carried for three days because everyone wants to make a name for themselves.“