Bayern Munich winger Luis Díaz has been handed a three-match suspension by UEFA following a red card he received in the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month. The decision, announced on Friday, stems from what the governing body classified as “serious rough play.”
The incident occurred during Bayern’s 2-1 victory in Paris on November 4, a night that was dramatic for Díaz in more than one respect. He opened the scoring twice in the first half to put his side ahead – but just before the break, he was sent off for a forceful challenge on PSG’s Achraf Hakimi.
The red card followed a VAR review, which upgraded an initial yellow to a straight red due to the severity of the tackle.
UEFA’s disciplinary body judged that Díaz’s tackle constituted serious foul play. The suspension means he will miss Bayern’s next three Champions League matches: the away fixture at Arsenal, followed by home games against Sporting CP and Union Saint-Gilloise.
The impact of the tackle has extended beyond the suspension. PSG confirmed shortly after the match that Hakimi suffered a severe sprain to his left ankle, and the full-back has not featured for the French club since.
At the African Footballer of the Year awards shortly after, Hakimi was photographed arriving on a scooter, a visible reminder of the injury’s seriousness.
Bayern manager Vincent Kompany had initially believed Díaz would be suspended for just one game. “My information is that he’s suspended for one game… I would be disappointed if my information is not correct,” Kompany told reporters ahead of Bayern’s domestic match. That optimism, however, proved misplaced when UEFA confirmed a longer ban.
The suspension comes at a crucial moment in Bayern’s campaign. Despite going down to ten men in Paris, Bayern held on to secure the win and currently top their Champions League group with a perfect record, having won all four of their matches to date.
Inside Bayern’s squad, the reaction has been mixed but firm. Defender Josip Stanišić revealed that teammates had actually thanked Díaz after the match. “No, he didn’t apologize. He was also happy with the win,” Stanišić said, adding that the team expressed gratitude for his two goals.
Meanwhile, Joshua Kimmich described Díaz’s emotional state at halftime, saying the winger “felt responsible” for putting the team down to ten men. But by full-time, with the win secured, his mood had shifted.
Bayern’s board member for sport, Max Eberl, also weighed in, highlighting the strong team spirit. He said that Díaz, despite his sending-off, stood in the dressing room afterward and high-fived his teammates. “He is grateful to the team, but the team is also grateful to him for the two goals,” Eberl remarked.
From Díaz’s perspective, the match in Paris was a rollercoaster. He produced a match-winning performance with his two goals, but the red card overshadows what might have otherwise been a celebrated night.
The ban means he will be absent from some of Bayern’s most important upcoming European fixtures, depriving the team of his pace, creativity, and goal threat.
For PSG, the fallout over Hakimi’s injury adds a layer of controversy to the match. The Moroccan defender, who had to leave the field in pain, faces a lengthy absence, and the incident has sparked debate about the disciplinary process for dangerous tackles and player welfare.