Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 84; Flight Crew Total 34000; Flight Crew Type 679
Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Ground Excursion Ramp
Human Factors; Airport
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.
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.
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.