Bayern Munich has been unsuccessful in its appeal regarding Luis Díaz‘s one-match suspension following a red card received during the Bundesliga. This verdict comes despite the referee’s acknowledgment that his decision may have been incorrect.
Díaz received the red card for a second yellow due to what was deemed simulation in Bayern’s 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, a match in which he also netted Bayern’s only goal.
As the offense was categorized as a yellow card incident, it could not be subjected to video review. In a postgame interview with Sky Sport Germany, referee Christian Dingert admitted he missed the contact between Díaz and goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, commenting: “The second yellow card was very harsh, and after reviewing the footage, I wouldn’t have given it in that manner.”
Nevertheless, the German football association’s sports court did not find this sufficient to rescind the automatic one-match suspension issued for the sending-off.
Court chairman Stephan Oberholz stated on Monday that Dingert’s remarks were not pertinent and that the decision was not “completely wrong,” as Díaz had been trying to make contact with the opposing goalkeeper.
“The key point is that this incident involves a factual decision that can only be overturned if it is gravely, manifestly, and unequivocally incorrect. This is not the case here,” he affirmed in a statement.
Díaz is expected to serve his suspension against Union Berlin on Saturday, although Bayern retains the option to appeal the decision.