Bayern goalkeeper sees red
It wasn’t the first time
Updated on January 23, 2025 – 6:45 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
The substitute keeper of the German record champions was sent off from the bench in the game against Feyenoord. But Ulreich was noticed earlier.
It was him. Once again. When FC Bayern lost 3-0 in the Champions League at Feyenoord Rotterdam on Wednesday evening, someone vented his frustration about the defeat in a special way. Shortly before the end of the game, Munich substitute goalkeeper Sven Ulreich picked up a red card from referee Francois Letexier on the bench. And thus contributed at least a small low point to what, from the German record champions’ point of view, was a messed up game.
In fact, it wasn’t the goalkeeper’s first misfire, who has been noticed several times in the recent past with his irrepressible temper on the Bayern bench – and was also punished for his unusual behavior. The list of Ulreich’s transgressions is getting longer.
November 29, 2023: In the Champions League game against Copenhagen (0-0), a wrong goal kick decision upsets Ulreich. He then storms towards the fourth official and complains vehemently. Ulreich’s scolding brings referee Stéphanie Frappart to the scene. The Frenchwoman comes to the Bayern bench and asks Ulreich to stand up so that she can give him the yellow card. Ulreich doesn’t play along at first and continues to complain. Only after further announcements from Frappart does the keeper stand up and receive a warning. “I don’t know why she really wanted me to run to her,” Ulreich says later. “I’m not making a fool of myself in front of her.”
September 28, 2024: In the top Bundesliga game against Bayer Leverkusen, Ulreich, who was sitting on the substitutes’ bench, insulted the Leverkusen bench. “Stop it over there, you bum,” shouts the goalkeeper. And barks at Bayer’s sports boss Simon Rolfes: “Sit down, Rolfes, you wanker.” Why Ulreich was so upset is not entirely clear from the short video sequence. It could have been a time game for Leverkusen.
Ulreich is suspended for one game by the control committee of the German Football Association. The keeper also has to pay a fine of 20,000 euros.
October 23, 2024: On the sidelines of the Champions League game at FC Barcelona (1:4), Ulreich has a war of words with Barça’s assistant coach Marcus Sorg. This is reported by the media, citing DAZN reporter Laura Wontorra. As part of her moderation, she describes an incident between the two that is said to have happened while walking into the cabin. Further details are still unclear today.
January 22, 2025: In the 90th minute of the Champions League game at Feyenoord Rotterdam (0:3), Ulreich complained to the referee team about a foul that, in his opinion, was not assessed appropriately. The French referee Francois Letexier then drew the red card – apparently because Ulreich complained too vehemently.
Curious: The TV images do not capture the expulsion of the Bayern substitute goalkeeper; instead, Ulreich is shown leaving the interior of the De Kuip and going into the catacombs.
Ulreich doesn’t seem to have to fear any consequences from the club. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany defended the 36-year-old after his miss against Leverkusen: “Ulle is so important in his dealings with his teammates in the squad, he actually does it almost 100 percent right every day.”