On Saturday, Borussia Dortmund will host FC Bayern Munich in the top match of the Bundesliga. The DFB is relaxing its own rule when it comes to refereeing.

It’s time once again for the German “classic”. Borussia Dortmund welcomes FC Bayern München for the top match on Saturday evening at 6:30 pm. The referee’s appointment for this match, however, caused some people to wonder.

Deniz Aytekin will be in charge of the match. The 44-year-old business economist is undoubtedly one of the best and most experienced referees in Germany – so far, so good. But Aytekin comes from Nuremberg, lives in Fürth and referees for the Bavarian Football Association.

Rule was softened during the pandemic

For years, the statutes precluded a referee from whistling for a team from the same association. It was not until the Corona pandemic that this rule was relaxed somewhat to prevent long and complicated journeys at the time. At that time Aytekin whistled the only three games of the record champions in his career.

The complications surrounding the Corona pandemic no longer exist. However, the DFB no longer adheres to its own rules very closely. According to BILD, the DFB made the decision for Germany’s “Referee of the Year” so that “in the aftermath of the match, the focus is not on supposedly wrong decisions”. Clear praise for Aytekin, but also clear criticism of all other Bundesliga referees.

“I’m not a Bavarian – I’m a Franconian!”

And Aytekin himself? He takes the wind out of the sails of any speculation about a conflict of interest with his usual relaxed manner. “I’m not a Bavarian – I’m a Franconian! There’s a difference,” the referee explained.

By the way, Aytekin has already whistled Dortmund more often. The 1.97-metre man has refereed a total of 32 games for the Black and Yellows. BVB’s record: 20 wins, seven defeats, five draws.