Bundesliga match official Christian Dingert admits mistake when reviewing Luis Diaz dive call

Bundesliga match official Christian Dingert has commented on the refereeing chaos in this afternoon’s Bayern Munich versus Bayer Leverkusen match. Speaking to Sky Germany, Dingert admitted that Bayern’s Luis Diaz shouldn’t have been sent off on double yellows in the 84th minute. Bayern chief personnel executive Max Eberl also commented on Dingert’s admission in the mixed zone. 

The scene in question

Bayern – already without starting striker Nicolas Jackson after Dingert opted to send the Chelsea loanee off on double yellows in the 42nd-minute – also lost Diaz when the Colombian went down in the box after a duel with Leverkusen keeper Janis Blaswich. Replays confirmed there was contact. Dingert nevertheless didn’t care for the way in which Diaz went to ground easily. 

Diaz certainly embellished the fall somewhat, but a yellow card seemed a harsh decision. Dingert admitted as much when he reviewed the scene again after the match. The 45-year-old affirmed that the scene didn’t merit a penalty, yet conceded that Diaz didn’t actively dive either. FCB head coach Vincent Kompany publicly expressed extreme dissatisfaction with Dingert’s decision.

Dingert’s statement on Luis Diaz’s sending off

“The way I perceived it, he went down [in the opposite direction],” Dingert said. “When I see the footage now, it’s clear that it’s not a penalty. A yellow-red card is very harsh. I wouldn’t give it that way now.”

Max Eberl speaks on Dingert

“That was honorable of him [to admit that he made a mistake],” Eberl added in the mixed zone. “He [Diaz] didn’t complain or ask the ref for a penalty. He got back up immediately.”