FCB keeper Ulreich: "Don't make a fool of myself in front of her"
FC Bayern Munich ended a couple of series in the match against FC Copenhagen. The dismal 0-0 draw in the Champions League had few exciters in store. Perhaps that's why a debutant came into FCB's sights late in the game. Thomas Müller argues constructively, substitute keeper Sven Ulreich does not.
In FC Bayern Munich's anniversary match, the record champions showed a surprisingly bleak side against FC Copenhagen. The 100th European Cup match in the Allianz Arena, which opened on May 30, 2005, was celebrated by the supporters in the south curve with a gigantic choreography before the game. Afterwards, some of the fans probably wished that the images of the 2013 triumph over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley had also covered the 90 minutes on the pitch. They didn't, of course.
The tired 0-0 draw against the Danish representative marked the end of two record series. For the first time since April 2018, they failed to score at home in the Champions League. In addition, their incredible winning streak in the group stage came to an end in the penultimate group game in the club's history: Bayern had won 17 games in a row there. This run came to an end against Copenhagen. Due to the upcoming reform of the premier class with the elimination of the group stage, the record will not be repeated for the time being.
Bayern had victory on the penalty spot for a few seconds in stoppage time. After a shot from Frans Krätzig, the ball hit Copenhagen's Peter Ankersen somewhere between his ribs and forearm. The French referee Stephanie Frappart had initially decided to award a penalty, but then withdrew the whistle after looking at the TV monitor. Much to the displeasure of FC Bayern.
Frappart also insulted on social media
The VAR decision was not the first uproar surrounding the first appearance of a female referee in a Bayern men's Champions League match. The Frenchwoman, who was abused foul-mouthed by numerous Bayern fans on social media, had already attracted attention by showing a yellow card to the Bayern substitute goalkeeper, who had been loudly berating her. She also refused to give Bayern a penalty even after some shoving in the Copenhagen penalty area.
"Personally, I wouldn't have given the penalty, but I think the rules allow it," said Thomas Müller after the game and presented a starting point for a possible reform. "At the moment, I have the feeling that the referees want to make the handball rule more objective." But that doesn't work. "You can't objectify the hand rule," said Müller. "Let the referee decide subjectively, of course based on a few criteria. Give the referee the power."
While Müller only criticized the circumstances and not the referee when the penalty was not awarded, coach Thomas Tuchel was extremely cagey after the game - out of self-protection, as he said. "It's better not to say anything to referees than to coaches. In case of doubt, that can only be expensive," said the coach without scolding.
Ulreich only scolds in Swabian
Substitute goalkeeper Sven Ulreich had already clashed with the referee in the 72nd minute. The 35-year-old raged on the Bayern bench after a corner kick was wrongly disallowed, scolded the fourth official and was then shown a yellow card.
Manuel Neuer's deputy initially ignored Frappart and only rose from the bench, where he had taken his seat again in the meantime, after being asked to do so several times. "She can give me the yellow card. But I'm not going to make a fool of myself and run in front of her," said Ulreich, explaining his disrespect and joking that he had of course complained, but in Swabian.
Frappart was no stranger to the German national team players, including Neuer, Müller and Serge Gnabry. She was also on the pitch during the DFB team's bitter preliminary round exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar against Costa Rica (4:2) a year ago. It was a historic assignment: the Frenchwoman was the first female referee to officiate a match at a men's World Cup. It seems that Müller and Co. are not happy with her.
It was Frappart's third appearance in the Champions League since her debut in 2020 and her first in the current season. In Real Madrid's 5-1 win over Celtic Glasgow last season, the Frenchwoman caught the eye with three penalties in the first half of the game. However, she is not completely new to FC Bayern either: in the past, she has officiated two European Cup matches for the Bayern women's soccer team.
In the heated Champions League match, the video referee's decision to not award a penalty to FC Bayern Munich sparked controversy. Despite Ulreich's belief that a penalty should have been given, the record champions had to settle for a draw against FC Copenhagen.
Following the game, substitute keeper Sven Ulreich voiced his opinion on the handball rule, expressing his belief that referees should make subjective decisions based on certain criteria, rather than attempting to make the rule objective.
Source: www.ntv.de
