DFB admit mistake! Will RB Leipzig appeal Bayern win? | OneFootball

A scene from the opening match of the Bundesliga is causing discussions – and the DFB has now admitted an error. During FC Bayern's 6-0 victory against RB Leipzig, a goal by the visitors was annulled retrospectively, but the decision was not technically correct.

In the 64th minute, Antonio Nusa scored what seemed to be the 1:4 consolation goal for Leipzig. It took almost five minutes for the goal to be revoked – partly due to massive protests from Joshua Kimmich, who received a yellow card for it. The reason: Castello Lukeba did not execute the free kick, from which the scene originated, correctly and touched the ball multiple times. Referee Florian Badstübner and his team overlooked this.

Former Bundesliga referee Manuel Gräfe explained in BILD: “Since Cologne is not allowed to intervene in this scene (…), they circumvented it a bit. Technically not correct.” He also speculated that it was “clear” that “after five minutes, it was not suddenly noticed by the assistant that the ball was not stationary, but Cologne certainly intervened.”

The DFB has now confirmed this analysis. Alex Feuerherdt, Head of Communication and Media Relations at DFB Schiri GmbH, said in kicker: “Unfortunately, none of the referees on the field noticed that Lukeba, instead of executing the free kick correctly, simply dribbled off with the ball.” And further: “The subsequent goal was checked by the VAR, but strictly speaking, checking the execution of a free kick before a goal is not part of its duties.”

Does the game need to be replayed?

Feuerherdt also explained why the goal was still disallowed: “Due to the unusually strong protests from Bayern, the referee felt compelled to inquire with the VAR. The VAR then decided, in the spirit of football, to make an exception with a brief note on the irregular free kick execution, because no one would have understood if this goal had counted.”

Thus, the DFB admits: The decision was understandable, but not in accordance with the rules. Gräfe draws a critical conclusion: “Certainly, it was in the interest of football that such a kids' mistake, repeatedly setting the ball up for oneself, did not lead to a goal. But technically not correct. And that naturally raises the question: How would an appeal be handled?”

Whether RB Leipzig will actually protest against the result of the game is still open. Theoretically, “a sports court would have to decide whether the game might even have to be replayed,” Gräfe said. However, he added: “RB will surely be prudent and let it rest, and the referee team as well as Lukeba have certainly learned their lesson from it.”

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