Things go a step too far – Union Berlin chief denies referee favouritism towards Bayern

Munich – With Bayern Munich hosting 1.FC Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena tomorrow, the spotlight on the match officials has intensified after a week of public debate about perceived refereeing bias in favour of the record champions.

Union sporting director Horst Heldt, speaking to Abendzeitung München, acknowledged that criticism of referees is widespread across the Bundesliga but warned that the discourse can “go a step too far.”

“Other clubs, and I include myself in that, have also criticized refereeing decisions,” Heldt said. “And sometimes, I'm not excluding myself from this either, things go a step too far.”

The 59-year-old executive was responding to suggestions that Bayern receive preferential treatment, a narrative amplified after recent contentious calls. Bayern officials have countered that they feel disadvantaged, a stance Heldt believes could inadvertently pressure officials.

“But the claim by Bayern that they feel disadvantaged is perceived quite differently,” he noted. “Ultimately, referees are human. After such a situation, it could be difficult to make tough decisions against Bayern.”

Heldt stressed that his remarks were not an attack on Bayern but rather a plea for perspective. “This means it certainly won't be easy for the refereeing team this weekend. I'm far from expressing an opinion about the mighty FC Bayern; my concern is with our club.”

On the pitch, Union arrive in Bavaria aiming to replicate the defensive resilience that has become their trademark under head coach Nenad Bjelica. “We'll try to play our typical style of football,” Heldt explained. “Many teams try to defend their goal with everyone they have against Bayern. We'll do the same.”

While acknowledging Bayern’s near-perfect success rate against deep-lying defences, Heldt believes slim margins can still be exploited. “They'll have to find solutions to that. They usually succeed 99 percent of the time, but we'll try to make it as uncomfortable as possible for them and use our qualities to take advantage of any slim chance we have.”

The capital club will resist any temptation to engage in an open, high-line contest. “But we can't make the game as open as when Arsenal or Real Madrid play Bayern,” Heldt concluded, underlining the pragmatic approach Union will carry into one of the league’s most daunting venues.