Bayern launch appeal against Diaz ban

Bayern Munich have appealed against Luis Diaz's second booking in the 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen as a row between the Bundesliga leaders and the German Football Federation (DFB) intensified on Sunday.

The Colombia winger received a second booking for diving in the box on Saturday, but referee Christian Dingert later admitted the incident did not warrant a yellow card as he was clipped by Leverkusen keeper Janis Blaswich.

Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen confirmed the appeal against a ban to Sky TV. However, the chances of a reprieve for next Saturday's home match against Union Berlin are slim.

"The second booking for Luis Diaz was a factual decision by the referee. Such factual decisions are generally final, so barring serious errors such as a player mix-up, the suspension usually stands," DFB referees' body spokesman Alexander Feuerherdt said.

Even the admission of a mistake by the referee does not change the procedural issue.

Feuerherdt dismissed sharp criticism from Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness, who told the Bild newspaper it was "the worst refereeing performance I have ever seen at a Bundesliga match."

Bayern's Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red and goals from Jonathan Tah and Harry Kane were disallowed for handball. Leverkusen also had a late goal from Jonas Hofmann disallowed for a narrow offside.

The Kane handball looked just as controversial as the Diaz incident but Feuerherdt told the AZ newspaper: "The match relevant decisions were correct or at least justifiable - with the exception of the yellow-red card, which referee Christian Dingert has admitted.

"Perhaps Uli Hoeness' opinion was influenced by the fact that the majority of these match-related decisions went against Bayern. But we are certainly not talking about scandalous mistakes here."

Coach Vincent Kompany was also upset with some decisions, especially the Diaz dismissal, but praised his side for getting a draw with nine men. They lead the table by nine points with eight games left.