Referee insult by Julian Nagelsmann? 4. Official comments

Referee Frank Willenborg has confirmed that there were no verbal low blows in the direct argument with Julian Nagelsmann last Saturday.

“What is said in the dressing room stays there. However, I can say that the matter was discussed there without any insult,” said the referee New Osnabrück newspaper.

Willenborg was the fourth official in the Bundesliga match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and record-breaking champions Bayern Munich (3-2). Bayern coach Nagelsmann had spoken disparagingly towards the referee team around Tobias Welz (Wiesbaden) after the defeat. Among other things, the coach, who was upset about the red card for defense chief Dayot Upamecano (8th), is said to have spoken of a “softened pack”.

Willenborg put it on record that he only found out about it from the media: “He didn’t tell us referees.” Similar to the 4th official, Welz had previously made a statement. “We had a discussion at eye level,” said Welz im sports1-One-two: “It was emotional, but no insults were spoken.”

Referee chief Lutz Michael Fröhlich had severely criticized Nagelsmann for his tantrum on Monday. “I find it profoundly disrespectful to use the term ‘pack’, no matter what perspective you take on a situation,” said Fröhlich sports1: “Then the referee’s understanding is over.”

Nagelsmann had apologized via social networks. Nevertheless, the control committee of the German Football Association (DFB) has started investigations. The 35-year-old is threatened with punishment by the DFB sports court.