"It's a wrong decision!": BVB furious after denied penalty | OneFootball

After Borussia Dortmund's 2-2 draw at RB Leipzig, a controversial scene in the final phase caused great anger among BVB. Players, coaches, and experts were especially critical of the referee and the lack of intervention by the VAR.

Borussia Dortmund had to settle for just one point at RB Leipzig despite a late comeback. In the 2-2 draw in Saxony, however, it was not the late equalizer but rather a controversial scene that took center stage after the final whistle—one that, from BVB's perspective, cost them a possible victory.

In the 89th minute, there was a decisive duel in Leipzig's penalty area between Karim Adeyemi and Castello Lukeba. The Dortmund attacker got himself into position, placed his foot in front of his opponent, and went to ground after contact was made. Referee Benjamin Brand immediately decided to let play continue, and the video assistant did not intervene either.

This decision caused significant displeasure among the Dortmund camp. Coach Niko Kovac had strong words and tried to explain his view with an unusual comparison: “If I may say so: Until I was 13 or 14 years old, I was a judoka. That's a sickle. That's a sweeper. Come on. Of course, Karim puts his foot in front, but Lukeba doesn't even touch the ball. He clearly hits Karim.” For the BVB coach, it was clear: “It is a wrong decision!”

Referee expert Gräfe sees clear foul on BVB star Adeyemi

Sporting director Sebastian Kehl also spoke out clearly and emphasized the cleverness of his attacker: “Of course a striker cuts in, he has to do that. He has to get in front. And in the end, he gets kicked on the foot.” Kehl also criticized the lack of intervention by the video assistant and made it unmistakably clear: “For me, that's a wrong decision and he has to intervene.”

Photo: IMAGO

Dortmund even received support from neutral quarters. Former referee Manuel Gräfe analyzed the scene in detail and came to a clear verdict. Adeyemi received “a hit, a clear kick and a hit on the foot, the leg area, and goes to ground.” Even though the attacking player had deliberately sought contact, this was not against the rules in a duel. Gräfe therefore concluded that “there actually should have been a penalty.”

Sportingly, Dortmund at least salvaged a draw with a late goal after Leipzig had previously taken the lead with two goals. Nevertheless, after the final whistle, frustration prevailed at BVB. A penalty in the final phase could not only have completely changed the course of the game but also had great significance in the tight title race with FC Bayern.

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