Union Berlin’s Steffen Baumgart speaks on match ejection and ‘middle-finger-salute’ | OneFootball

A Sunday evening Bundesliga fixture between hosting Eintracht Frankfurt and visiting 1. FC Union Berlin looks to stick long in the memory. Steffen Baumgart’s Eisernen rolled into Deutsche Bank Park heavy underdogs after what Eintracht were able to accomplish at home in the Champions League on Thursday night. Union pulled out an upset 3-4 away win in the wild seven-goal affair.

In a certain respect, everyone involved in the match delivered. The Eintracht supporters once again delivered with sensational choreos and tifos. The home delivered with three goals. Union’s Ilyas Ansah delivered yet another spectacular distance effort. New Union summer signing Oliver Burke delivered far more than his trademark charm. In point-of-fact, the Scotsman delivered a splendid hat trick.

Near the end of the match, it was Baumgart’s turn to deliver something trademark of his own. After watching Jonathan Burkardt convert the 87th-minute penalty that enabled Frankfurt to pull from a 1-4 deficit to a within striking distance of a draw with a 3-4 lead, broadcast cameras caught the FCU head coach flipping his middle finger.

Granted, it didn’t look like he was pointing his finger at anyone in particular. Baumgart found himself booked by match official Sven Jablonski for complaining about the penalty call shortly afterwards. After Baumgar kicked one of the balled up pieces of paper from the tifo presentation onto the pitch, Jablonski sent him off.

Baumgart spoke on this rapid-fire unfolding of three separate events that took place in the span of under a minute in both his post-match interview and the post-match press conference. He didn’t apologize for getting emotional and emphasized that he wasn’t concerned about getting suspended for more than one match.

“Everything is right and it’s fine that I got the card,” Baumgart told DAZN shortly after the full-time-whistle. “I’m sorry, but actually I’m not sorry because I don’t want to hold back on my emotions. I kicked the paper onto the pitch because I saw others do it. The lads will have to do without me next week.“

“It was an extremely emotional game right up to the very end,” Baumgart added later at the post-match press conference. “It was the correct decision while I need to keep my emotions in check. I thought the paper balls belonged on the pitch at the end of the match, but the rules are clear.

“I have no explanation [for the middle finger],” Baumgart continued when asked a follow up question. “And I’m not concerned. It wasn’t directed at anyone. You saw it. The TV cameras saw it. I was just staring into space and not flipping the bird at any anyone in particular. That should be clear.“

GGFN | Peter Weis