Blatant wrong decision?
Big vertebrae for a penalty scene at VfB victory in Cologne
28.09.2025 – 9:02 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The 1. FC Köln loses 1-2 against VfB Stuttgart at home. A situation is still emotionally discussed after the game – The Cologne residents complain.
Trainer Lukas Kwasniok took the much-discussed penalty whistle by referee Matthias Jöllenbeck in the 1-2 defeat of his 1. FC Köln against VfB Stuttgart as an opportunity for extensive criticism of the video evidence. “It has been the case for years that I see no sensitivity. The VAR has reported because he saw it in the slow-mo. And then this is portrayed as a right decision,” said the Cologne coach at DAZN and ironically added: “” Thank God we have the var to make football fairer ‘ – He is getting more and more questionable. That’s my problem. “
What happened? The 25th minute in the RheinEnergieStadion: Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe had not cleared the ball quickly enough, but hit the rushing Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirović. However, this did not fall there, but continued and continued to go to the tackle. Only then did Jöllenbeck receive a hint from video referee Günter Perl. After a long review, he actually gave the penalty – To the incomprehension of most Cologne.
“I don’t see a single Stuttgart who complains in any form. There is contact (…) But not every contact is a foul,” said Kwasniok: “I did not have the feeling that the referee is very happy that it is put under pressure to be sent out for such an action. Then we interpret too much. not.”
Cologne’s sports director Thomas Kessler saw it similarly. “When I see the still image and the touch, I have to give the penalty.” Nevertheless, the question of proportionality must be asked: “Why is such a situation rated like this on the back of 1. FC Köln?” And further: “I would be very interested in whether such a situation would also be evaluated if Bayern Munich plays against Borussia Dortmund and it is about the championship. Then there is no video assistant in the world who sends out the referee for it. That’s why I have very big question marks today.”
Even more: Jöllenbeck was “more or less forced” to decide on a penalty. “You have to clearly assign this to Deutz and the responsible video referee. This is Günter Perl. The fact that such an experienced referee intervenes in this situation is extremely surprising.”