BVB get lucky? German FA comments on controversial incident in Cologne | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund narrowly wins 2-1 at 1. FC Köln – but a scene in stoppage time sparks major debate. The DFB has now also commented on the incident.

The narrow 2-1 away victory by Borussia Dortmund at 1. FC Köln is still causing plenty of discussion even a day after the match. Above all, one scene in stoppage time is at the center of the debates – and now the German Football Association has commented on the controversial decision.

With the score at 1-2, Köln pushed for an equalizer in the final minutes with ten men. In stoppage time, the ball struck the arm of Dortmund defender Yan Couto in the penalty area. Despite loud protests from the Köln players, referee Daniel Siebert did not blow his whistle. The video assistant also did not intervene – much to the frustration of the hosts.

Meanwhile, the DFB Referee GmbH has reviewed the scene and admits that VAR intervention would have been appropriate. In a statement, they said: “Therefore, from our point of view, there are so many arguments in favor of judging the handball as a punishable offense that a VAR intervention would have been appropriate.”

The scene also caused confusion among experts. Former national player Stefan Effenberg clearly sided with 1. FC Köln and called it a clear wrong decision. “According to the rules, definitely. The arm is outstretched. No intent, but that’s not what matters for the referee’s decision,” the former pro explained on Doppelpass.

Effenberg sharply criticizes VAR after BVB win in Cologne

In principle, it can always happen that a referee misjudges a scene on the pitch, Effenberg emphasized. However, he found it incomprehensible that the video assistant did not intervene in this situation. “In a situation like this, to give the command to referee Siebert and say there was no handball, I have absolutely no understanding for that,” said the 57-year-old.

Photo: IMAGO

In addition to the controversial scene in the final phase, there were further VAR interventions in the match. Shortly before halftime, Köln’s Jamai Simpson-Pusey was initially only cautioned after a foul, but after reviewing the footage, he was shown a red card – according to the DFB, the correct decision.

Nevertheless, it is above all the scene in stoppage time that remains memorable. For Köln, it is especially bitter: in the tight relegation battle, every point could be decisive. For Dortmund, however, the narrow away win stands – with a bit of luck.

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