Union Berlin Coach Criticizes Offside Decisions in Bundesliga

Union Berlin head coach Steffen Baumgart has launched a strong critique of the Bundesliga’s offside decision-making after his team’s impressive 2–2 draw against Bayern Munich brought an end to the champions’ historic winning streak.

Union appeared to take an early lead in the 9th minute when Ilyas Ansah scored from Leopold Querfeld’s corner. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed — Ansah was ruled offside by just five millimeters, a margin invisible to the naked eye.

Baumgart expressed disbelief over the call in his post-match interview with Sky Germany:

“The first goal is a goal. To chalk it off for being five millimeters offside is absurd. I can draw that line 27 times for you.”

The Union coach argued that such microscopic measurements undermine the spirit of the game and expose the inconsistency of VAR implementation across Germany.

“That line isn’t drawn in places like Dresden or Bremen, but it is here,” Baumgart continued. “We’re talking about millimeters — not a foot, not a heel, not a shoulder. There’s no reliable standard.”

The controversy reignites the ongoing debate surrounding semi-automated offside technology in German football. In recent weeks, similar incidents have frustrated multiple clubs, including St. Pauli, whose president Oke Göttlich publicly demanded reimbursement from the DFL after the technology failed twice during a home match.

Baumgart’s frustration reflects a broader sentiment within the Bundesliga that VAR’s precision has come at the expense of common sense. Despite his anger, the Union boss praised his side’s resilience against Bayern and insisted they deserved more than just a draw.