After the 3-3 draw between Darmstadt 98 and Borussia Mönchengladbach, emotions are running high for the promoted team. The Hessians are struggling with the sending off of defender Maglica.
The frustration of SV Darmstadt 98 players and those in charge over the wasted first win of the season in the wild 3:3 (3:0) against Borussia Mönchengladbach erupted in severe criticism of referee Timo Gerach.
“That’s a disgrace”
“The penalty and the red card are definitely incomprehensible. That’s an outrage,” Darmstadt’s President Rüdiger Fritsch complained about the referee’s controversial decision in the game at the end of the fourth matchday in the Bundesliga.
According to the TV images, Gerach sent off “Lilien” defender Matej Maglica in the 49th minute for a handball in his own penalty area and also decided on a penalty, which goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen saved. Despite being outnumbered, the Hessians still squandered their 3-0 lead from the first half.
Holland: “Double punishment is difficult to accept”
“In my opinion, the red card was a very tough decision against us,” said Darmstadt coach Torsten Lieberknecht. Captain Fabian Holland criticized: “I saw the scene on TV. The double punishment is difficult to accept.” The sinner himself was not conscious of any guilt at all. “I was told by the referee that I actively took the ball with my hand. I didn’t feel that way and I don’t think the pictures would show it either.”said Maglica.
For the referee, however, the situation that turned the game around was clear. “The Darmstadt man took the ball with his hand, the pictures clearly show that”said Gerach and added the reason for the expulsion: “The text of the rules says very clearly: If the striker has control of the ball, then it is a clear thwarting of a goal-scoring opportunity and should be punished with a red card. From my perspective, it was a clear goal-scoring opportunity and should therefore be punished with a red card.”
Gerach: “That’s our lot referees”
The 36-year-old referee also expressed understanding for the emotional reactions of the people of Darmstadt. “I understand the impact of a decision like this. But that’s the lot of us referees: we also have to make tough and unpopular decisions sometimes,” Gerach said.
He received support from referee instructor Lutz Wagner. “The decision is worthy of discussion, but not wrong,” Wagner said.