BVB fume over penalty row, referee defends controversial decision | OneFootball

After a controversial penalty decision, BVB’s anger at referee Tobias Stieler is boiling over. Despite vehement protests, the whistle did not come – and Dortmund is eliminated from the cup.

Borussia Dortmund has been knocked out by Bayer Leverkusen after a hard-fought cup evening – and the debates about a contentious scene from the opening phase are not dying down. In the 19th minute, Carney Chukwuemeka went down in the penalty area after Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah briefly held him. However, referee Tobias Stieler decided to let play continue – a decision that caused considerable anger at BVB.

Stieler defended his assessment both on ARD and Sky. He said he saw “at most minimal holding, an ineffective hold.” Furthermore, he was convinced that Chukwuemeka “most likely would not have reached the ball anyway” before he “accepts the hold and tries to get the maximum out of it for himself.” That’s why he consciously decided: “I don’t want to decide a game like that.”

The Dortmund side saw things completely differently. Coach Niko Kovac, who had already complained loudly during the match, spoke after the final whistle of a clear penalty: “If someone is hugged with both arms, you should blow the whistle.” For him, it didn’t matter whether Chukwuemeka would have reached the ball: The holding was “worthy of a penalty.”

BVB captain Can criticizes clear hold on Chukwuemeka

Captain Emre Can was also clear. In his view, the situation was unambiguous: “He clearly grabs him! If he doesn’t hold him, that’s a one hundred percent scoring chance.” Chukwuemeka had been held long enough to justify a penalty.

On Leverkusen’s side, the scene was seen as less dramatic. Robert Andrich, who was right next to it, said: “Of course the hand is there, but if you see how he falls, that’s not a normal movement. Absolutely the right decision!” The referee team also remained consistent, and VAR did not intervene.

While Dortmund continued to grumble, Leverkusen soon took their chance: Ibrahim Maza scored shortly afterwards to make it 1-0 – a goal that ultimately made the difference.

Stieler later received support from former referee Manuel Gräfe, who even praised the referee’s performance and emphasized that in such matches, “only 100 percent decisions” should be called. BVB, on the other hand, leaves frustrated – with the feeling that an early key scene could have turned the game.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.