Oliver Kahn responds to Aytekin’s justification in the Bellingham case

Referee Deniz Aytekin has again defended his decision against sending off Jude Bellingham, although he also expressed doubts. Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn also reacted.

The double pass every Sunday from 11 a.m. LIVE on Sport1.

“The scene is viewed in isolation and a yellow card without emotions,” admitted the 44-year-old referee in a one-two sports1 to: “But the referee is also expected to have a feeling for the game. And there was this minimal remaining leeway.”

Aytekin had already warned Bellingham in the 14th minute after a foul on Jamal Musiala and spoke of a “may yellow card” immediately after the game. After Bellingham hit Alphonso Davies in the face with his foot just before half-time, the referee waived the traffic light card. He therefore “lacked the last conviction to give yellow-red”. The day after, Aytekin admitted doubts: “Maybe it was a bit too much empathy.”

Bayern boss Kahn responded on Twitter: “Where was Deniz Aytekin’s empathy with the yellow-red card for Kingsley Coman?”

“Of course you can ask this question,” said Aytekin, who was immediately confronted with the tweet live in a double pass, but named the intention in the two actions as the decisive factor. He stressed that he didn’t think Bellingham intended to hurt Davies when he kicked him, while Coman deliberately flouted his offenses.

Deniz Aytekin defends sending off against Kingsley Coman

“He hugs him, he has only one goal, he wants to stop the player,” said Aytekin, who sent off Coman for a tactical foul on Karim Adeyemi in the 90th minute. “We don’t even have to talk about the first card. The second action is also so clear, there’s nothing left for you as a referee.”

Coman had previously seen his first yellow card for a tackle in midfield.