DFB opens investigation after Cologne stadium announcer’s outburst in Dortmund defeat | OneFootball

The DFB has opened an investigation into Cologne stadium announcer Michael Trippel after his outburst during the 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on the 25th Bundesliga matchday.

According to KSTA, the 71-year-old later apologised, but he could still face punishment from the federation.

Trippel reacted first late in the first half, railing against Jahmai Simpson-Pusey’s dismissal after a VAR review. At full time he complained that a clear Dortmund handball in added time had not been checked.

Regulations require neutral public-address announcements and bar political messages, home-team advocacy and any discrimination, rules that govern speaker conduct.

Cologne sporting director Thomas Kessler criticised the behaviour, calling it unacceptable for a stadium voice to show emotion on the mic, and said the club would address it. Chief executive Philipp Turoff also lamented what he termed unacceptable excesses.

Trippel said he acted in the heat of the moment, that inconsistent use of VAR infuriates him and that, after more than four decades at the club including 27 years as stadium announcer, worry for Cologne sometimes gets the better of him. He added he would be more restrained on the microphone in future.

While the DFB accepted there were strong grounds for a handball and that a VAR intervention would have been justified, it judged that a line had been crossed in Cologne. The governing body has begun disciplinary proceedings, and Trippel and the club face a fine, with a suspension possible but not favoured.

Source: L'Équipe