Refereeing debate in the Bundesliga: criticism of Bayern’s behavior on the rise | OneFootball

The refereeing debate following FC Bayern’s 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen continues to provoke reactions from the Bundesliga. Union Berlin’s managing director Horst Heldt has now also spoken out – and voiced clear criticism of the Munich team

After the turbulent top match in the BayArena, several officials of the German record champions publicly criticized the decisions of referee Christian Dingert. Honorary President Uli Hoeneß in particular made headlines with his statement that it was the „worst refereeing performance“ he had ever seen

Union Berlin’s managing director Horst Heldt, whose team will host FC Bayern on the upcoming matchday, is critical of Munich’s public behavior. „That’s simply not right towards the other competitors either. Such an extent,“ Heldt explained on Sky on Monday evening

Heldt fears repercussions for upcoming matches

The 56-year-old even expressed concern that Bayern’s massive criticism could have an impact on upcoming matches. His club, of all clubs, could be affected. „And we are the ones to suffer. We will be the ones to suffer next week. And that’s not okay,“ said Heldt with a view to the upcoming clash in Munich

The Union boss emphasized that criticism of referees was nothing unusual in soccer, but that FC Bayern’s behaviour had a different dimension. „It simply has a different impact when Bayern comment publicly on such issues,“ said Heldt

Criticism also from Matthäus and Reuter

photo: IMAGO

Heldt is not alone in his assessment. Record international Lothar Matthäus has also recently been critical of Bayern’s reaction. „We discuss it every week. This time it was Bayern, the week before it was Cologne,“ Matthäus told SPORT1 on the sidelines of an event

In his view, the decisions in the match between Leverkusen and Bayern were not as serious as some Munich officials had made them out to be

Stefan Reuter, former manager of FC Augsburg, also showed understanding for emotional reactions – but also sees a certain one-sidedness in the assessment. „You often see it from your own point of view. You might put one or two things into perspective afterwards,“ explained Reuter

Heldt criticizes Bayern protest against Díaz suspension

Heldt was particularly critical of Munich’s appeal against Luis Díaz’s yellow-red card, which the DFB sports court later rejected. „I can only say that I don’t think it’s right to question a yellow-red card. Everyone knows that it’s a factual decision,“ emphasized the Union boss

Heldt sees FC Bayern as having a special responsibility due to its position in German soccer. The record champions have worked hard to achieve their position over many years – which is precisely why the club must act with particular caution in such situations. „They have done so much right in recent years, which is why they are where they are. But they also have to live up to their responsibility from time to time,“ explained Heldt.