Gräfe: Kimmich and Olise face likely suspension over time-wasting

Long-time referee Manuel Gräfe has predicted FC Bayern will be without Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise for a longer spell after yellow-card suspensions for time-wasting against Atalanta Bergamo. The pair picked up their third bookings of the competition in quick succession during set pieces with the score at 6-0, meaning they will miss what is likely to be a meaningless return leg on Wednesday.

Gräfe expects both players to miss at least the first leg if Bayern progress, pointing to UEFA disciplinary rules that allow additional bans only in cases of "clear deliberate intent to obtain a yellow or red card" — a measure used against Sergio Ramos in 2019.

He wrote on Twitter that proving intent is as difficult as proving handball, so UEFA will rely on indirect evidence. While calling Kimmich's explanation that he had no free passing options and did not want to play into the opponent's press a "good attempt", Gräfe said it would not hold up under UEFA scrutiny.

Italy, Bergamo

manuel gräfe, joshua kimmich, michael olise, fc bayern, atalanta bergamo, yellow cards, time wasting, uefa rules, suspension, sergio ramos