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Luis Diaz scored twice, lifted Bayern Munich past Paris Saint-Germain, and created the longest suspension of his European career all in one game.
Diaz received a red card for his challenge on Achraf Hakimi shortly before halftime in Bayern's 2-1 win over PSG. The decision was followed by a three-match ban from UEFA.
The punishment will exclude Diaz from Bayern's matches against Arsenal, Sporting CP, and Union Saint-Gilloise in a stretch that could impact how the group finishes as Bayern fights to maintain its position at the top of the table. Bayern responded to the ruling with pushback.
The tackle that ended Diaz's night also ruled Hakimi out of immediate availability for his squad. Team leader Harry Kane has spoken about the importance of Diaz to the team.
PSG confirmed that Hakimi suffered ankle ligament damage and has not played since. He's coming off being named African Footballer of the Year, where he beat out Mohamed Salah. Diaz expressed regret afterward, calling the night emotional and saying he was proud of Bayern's resilience.
"It was a night full of emotions. Football always reminds us that in 90 minutes, anything can happen, the best and the worst. I was sad not to finish the match with my teammates, but proud of their incredible effort. Wishing Hakimi a quick return to the pitch," he said.
Bayern initially believed UEFA would view the incident as a one-match suspension, rather than a three-match suspension. Max Eberl, the club’s director of sports, said Bayern will attempt to reduce the ban to at least two matches.
Diaz had only one prior red card across his entire domestic career, which happened in September 2018 when he played for Junior in Colombia. That match included a sequence in which Diaz drew a foul, received a red card for violent conduct, and watched Deportivo Cali's Juan Camilo Angulo receive a red card in retaliation during stoppage time.
Diaz remains one of Bayern's most productive attackers. He has scored six goals in 11 Bundesliga matches, ranking only behind Kane. He also sits near the top of Bayern's assist chart with four, trailing only Michael Olise, who has six.
Kane has 14 appearances and 11 goals. Olise has 11 appearances and six goals with six assists. Serge Gnabry has nine appearances and four goals. Bayern’s attack stretches through its midfield, defense, and depth pieces, but Diaz has become one of the primary outlets that shape how Bayern stretches defenses and breaks open matches.
Bayern remains the top club in the Champions League table with four wins, 14 goals scored, and three conceded. Arsenal, Inter, and Manchester City sit level with Bayern on points.
PSG continues to chase fifth with three wins and one loss. Bayern expects Diaz to return for its match against PSV Eindhoven on January 28, a timeline that both frustrates the club and signals how carefully UEFA viewed the challenge on Hakimi.
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