Back
1.01.2023Bayer 04

History: The first red card for Bayer 04 in the Bundesliga

It’s matchday 19 in the 1982/83 season. Eintracht Frankfurt visit the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on 29 January 1983 complete with lightning fast South Korean forward Bum-kun Cha. His is up against central back Frank Saborowski, signed from MSV Duisburg at the start of the season, and the Leverkusen defender has problems from the start with the striker as well as stomach cramps.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

The blond defender doubles up again and again but he plays on. He then justifiably receives a yellow card for a bad foul. Just like today, a second yellow card produced a red card back then. But in 1983 in this case, the second transgression resulted in a red card rather than another yellow. With the scores level at 1-1 – Arne-Larsen Ökland scored for Bayer 04 and Bum-kun Cha for Frankfurt – Eintracht launched a counter attack on 38 minutes. Saborowski can only hold on to his opponent and thereby takes his place in the history of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The referee from Bremen, Hans-Joachim Osmers, shows him the red card and he becomes the first Bayer 04 player to be sent off in a Bundesliga match.

Related News

Zoltan Sebescen
Bayer 04 - 01.10.2025

Birthday boy of the month: Zoltan Sebescen turns 50

Zoltan Sebescen was born on 1 October 1975 in Ehingen and he started playing football as a child. His talent stood out early on and he was accepted into the youth section at Stuttgarter Kickers in 1982. There he progressed through all the youth teams and continued to develop. His breakthrough in the men's game came in the mid-1990s, when he moved up to the Kickers first team squad. With his speed, dynamism and attacking drive, he soon made a name for himself beyond the region. He and his team were promoted from the Regional League South to Bundesliga 2 in 1996 and stayed in the league with Stuttgart for three years.

Show more
Jens Nowotny
Bayer 04 - 01.10.2025

Legends: Jens ‘Jenne’ Nowotny

Jens Nowotny was born on 11 January 1974 in Malsch, Baden-Württemberg. As a youngster, he played for SV Spielberg and Germania Friedrichstal and later joined the youth section at Karlsruher SC. As a 15-year-old, he became an integral part of the DFB national youth set-up and played for all of the Germany junior teams. One highlight was an U15 international against England at Wembley.

Show more
Bayer 04 gegen Stuttgart am 24. Oktober 2015
Bayer 04 - 01.10.2025

Match of the month: 10 years ago - Two memorable games within four days

It is Tuesday, 20 October 2015 - a Champions League night at the BayArena. The visitors: AS Roma. What awaits the spectators is a memorable football match full of drama, speed and emotion. The Werkself get off to a flying start and literally overrun the slightly favoured Italians in the early stages. The scoreline was 2-0 after just twenty minutes - both goals were scored by Mexico international Chicharito. Bayer 04 put the visitors under constant pressure with their aggressive pressing and bold attacking play and even had a chance to make it 3-0. Then the AS Roma captain Daniele De Rossi brought his team back into the game with a brace making it 2-2 at half-time.

Show more
Karim Bellarabi
Bayer 04 - 01.10.2025

Goals of the month: From Vöge to Bellarabi

In the video you can see impressive and important goals in Bayer 04 history from the month of October. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.

Show more
Bayer 04 1960/61
Bayer 04 - 01.10.2025

From the archives: 65 years ago - Pokal upset in Schlebusch

On 23 October 1960, a highly anticipated local derby took place in the DFB Pokal, which the team had to qualify for via the regional association cup competitions at the time: SV Schlebusch hosted the Werkself from Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Around 2,000 spectators flocked to the "Am Bühl" stadium to watch the game kicking off at 3 pm.

Show more