😱 What a scandal: Referee blunder decides Icon League top clash | OneFootball

FC OneFootball and DNA Athletics engaged in a highly charged duel in the battle for the top 8. Both teams were tied on points. After the Plyrs' victory in the preliminary match, it was clear: the loser would very likely drop out of the top 8. The match gained additional excitement as it was a rematch of the first season's final. Back then, OneFootball won. This time, it developed into a wild, completely open game.

After a turbulent first half, the score was 2:2 at halftime. OneFootball had a better start in the second half. Amar Dzindic scored in the 15th minute to take the lead again. But DNA responded. Amar Cekic, who had only been with the team for a week, equalized in the 18th minute with a low shot from the backfield.

Both teams had chances, but no further goals were scored. Just before the final whistle, things got hectic. DNA demanded a penalty because Fouad Aghnima blocked a shot with his arm close to his body. While DNA protested, OneFootball launched a counterattack. Miguelín shot from a distance at the empty goal. The ball rolled towards the line. At that moment, Tugay Akbakla—who was not in the game—jumped onto the field and cleared it. An unsportsmanlike action. But DNA's luck: the shot came a second too late. The match had already been whistled. It went into overtime.

Initially, there were no goals in overtime. Then the next decisive scene followed. Aghnima pulled Darko Bodul to the ground. In overtime, such a foul leads to a blue card and thus a direct one-on-one against the goalkeeper. Bodul stepped up and missed.

Soon after, the fatal wrong decision occurred. The rulebook is clear: a blue card only results in the one-on-one, not a time penalty. A numerical disadvantage is only provided for a yellow card. In this game, the rule was wrongly applied. OneFootball not only conceded the one-on-one but also had to continue playing with a numerical disadvantage. An inadmissible double penalty that massively influenced the course of the game.

DNA took advantage of the numerical superiority coldly. Bodul made up for his missed shot and scored the Golden Goal. The goal brought DNA an enormously important victory. For OneFootball, the evening ended bitterly.

📸 Max Galys

If The Pack wins their match, OneFootball might even slip out of the top eight. It remains open how the Icon League will deal with the wrong decision. Will the match be replayed, or will the result stand despite the rule violation? What decision will follow remains uncertain at present.

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