DFB spokesman admits Borussia Dortmund goal should have been disallowed | OneFootball

A controversial scene in the 51st minute of Saturday’s Bundesliga fixture between Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund has been directly addressed by the German FA. DFB Spokesman Alexander Feuerherdt directly admitted that the VAR team incorrectly judged BVB defender Ramy Bensebaini’s positioning to be irrelevant to the play.

The scene, as made clear by the DFB-statement, influenced Werder Bremen captain Marco Friedl’s actions in steering the ball into his own net. Bensebaini did not touch the ball but jumped over it in a manner that impacted Friedl’s actions. Feuerherdt conceded that the VAR team – helmed by the experienced Tobias Reichel on this day – should have notified match-official Felix Zwayer.

“We’ll say that this is an offside position that matters because Friedl is so strongly influenced by Bensebaini,” Feuerherdt told Sky Germany. “It is only at the moment when he lifts his leg that he can see the ball and react to it. That’s why the goal shouldn’t have counted.”

Bremen goalscorer Leonardo Bittencourt also commented on the incident in the mixed zone. Bittencourt showed some understanding for the decision, albeit himself admitting that he hadn’t surveyed the scene too closely.

“It’s often said: when in doubt, rule in favour of the attacker,” Bittencourt noted. “We want to see goals. We have to defend better. There are games where you might get lucky and he whistles offside. Today it didn’t happen.”

GGFN | Peter Weis