Referee admits Luis Díaz red card was a mistake in Bayern Munich’s shocking draw to Bayer Leverkusen

You can’t make this up. After forcing Bayern Munich to play the final 20 minutes with nine men, referee Christian Dingert has just admitted that he made a mistake sending Luis Díaz off when he did. Bayer Leverkusen used their leverage to launch wave after wave of attack until the full time whistle, they couldn’t make their advantage count.

“During the game, I perceived the incident as him diving,” said Christian Dingert (via @iMiaSanMia). “That’s what I saw. Looking at the footage now, it’s clear it wasn’t a penalty. But a red card was very harsh; I wouldn’t give that now.”

Well that’s nice. “Wouldn’t give that now”, an hour after the match has ended. Incredible accountability by the official. At least it comes right after the game rather than months later, like what happened with Cucurella’s handball against Germany. So in that regard, Dingert deserves praise.

The fact that VAR couldn’t intervene and fix his mistake is another problem. Who decided that second yellows can’t be reviewed? It’s absurd, and if VAR had been allowed to do its job, Bayern Munich could have won the game in the end. The simple fact is, VAR is implemented poorly, and other sports like cricket and rugby have a mature review system that puts it to shame.

Bayern Munich now end the matchday only nine points clear of Borussia Dortmund. The gap shrunk, if only a little.

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