Bayer Leverkusen’s managing director Fernando Carro’s “idiot” statement about referee Tobias Stieler has repercussions. As the German Football Association (DFB) confirmed to “SID”, the association’s control committee is investigating the incident from last Saturday. It is unclear what consequences the Bayer boss will face.
After the draw against FSV Mainz 05 (1:1), Carro complained about Stieler and the video assistant in the catacombs. In the run-up to Mainz’s opening goal, Leverkusen was unjustifiably not awarded a penalty in Carro’s opinion; after the final whistle, the 61-year-old confronted the referee in his dressing room. According to several media reports, on the way there he shouted: “Where is Stieler, the idiot?”
In the Mainz penalty area, Bayer attacker Patrik Schick was held with both arms by Dominik Kohr and brought down (67th). For him, this was a “clear penalty,” said Carro.
However, Stieler spoke of a “two-sided struggle”: “I told them that it was a penalty for me. You probably can’t see it, but the video assistant should actually have blown the whistle.”
Coach Kasper Hjulmand also expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision. “It’s unbelievable. He’s not looking at the ball. I think everyone can see that. If it’s not a penalty, then someone has to explain the rules to me,” said the Dane.
