Date: 202105
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: EDDM.Airport, FO
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Ramp EDDM
Second aircraft: Medium Transport
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Ground Excursion Ramp
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Airport
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Departing Munich; we were given a push clearance that said; after the crossing Medium Transport aircraft; cleared to push to face north. This was relayed to the push-crew and acknowledged. Push commenced shortly thereafter. We couldn't see; but assumed the Medium Transport passed. A brief time later; Apron control asked us to stop our push; which was relayed to me and the me to the push-crew (there was the lift tug driver and another person on the headphones). I allowed a reasonable amount of time to transfer the stop; but they kept on pushing. I asked them again to STOP the push. The person on the headset seemed confused. I again told them to stop the push; stop the push. The push slowed but never stopped and then began to pick up pace. I then with louder; more stern voice told them to STOP; HALT THE PUSH; figuring the German stop command might do the trick. Nope; the push just continued. After we came to a stop on the start spot; I asked him if he understood what STOP meant - he was flustered. I overheard the FO talking to apron trying to convince them that we had told the push crew to stop multiple times. They mentioned it was a reportable event; hence the filing. This is very rare for Munich or any German airport. I am convinced; this was purely a language issue and the gentleman on the headset did not understand the bigger picture. The tug driver was also dependent on what he told him and I don't think he was aware of what was going on either.


Second narrative: Upon receiving our push clearance Ramp control instructed us to wait for an aircraft to taxi by; then push.  This was relayed to the push-crew; and they immediately began to push.  Ramp control instructed us to stop; as the aircraft we were supposed to wait for had not yet passed by.  The Captain instructed the push-crew to stop and had to tell them several times; before they would stop.  When they did stop; they just paused and began to push again.  This happened; I recall about 3 times; and ramp control kept instructing us to stop; but we could not get the push-crew to do so. The push-crew eventually just pushed us all the way back; contrary to our instructions to 'halt.'  No explanation was given; as to why they would not stop.  Ramp Control informed us of our deviation; and their intention to write a report regarding this. We gave them our apologies and explanation that the push crew was not following our directions to stop as they requested.


Synopsis: Air carrier flight crew reported EDDM ground crew would not stop push back as instructed; possibly due to language barrier; resulting in a ramp excursion.