Toni Kroos Questions Red Card Issued to Luis Diaz in Bayern Munich’s Champions League Victory
PARIS - Toni Kroos has publicly disputed the red card given to Luis Diaz during Bayern Munich’s 2-1 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain, asserting the referee’s decision was unduly influenced by an injury to Achraf Hakimi. The incident, occurring in the first half of the match, resulted in Diaz’s ejection and will see the Colombian winger miss Bayern’s crucial upcoming fixture against Arsenal.
Kroos, a six-time Champions League winner with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, believes the referee, Maurizio Mariani, prioritized the outcome of the challenge – Hakimi requiring treatment and ultimately being substituted – over the tackle itself. The former midfielder’s comments add fuel to the debate surrounding the controversial call, which significantly impacted the dynamic of the match and carries implications for Bayern’s progression in the tournament.
“From my personal perspective, it’s not a red card,” Kroos stated on the podcast Just suck it up. “The referee was very affected by Hakimi’s injury in his assessment of the game.” He further elaborated, “I did see a rough tackle, but it wasn’t a rough foul. If Hakimi had gotten up after that tackle, no one would have watched his game. In situations like this, the referee should judge the action itself, not the consequences of the tackle.”
Diaz had scored both goals in Bayern’s victory before receiving the red card. his absence will be keenly felt when Bayern travels to face Arsenal on matchday 5 of the Champions League. The 26-year-old has been in exceptional form this season, contributing 10 goals and five assists in 16 appearances for Bayern. Hakimi’s injury is also expected to sideline him for a period, further compounding PSG’s challenges.