Interest for handball against Bavaria
“This equalizer from Frankfurt should have counted”
05.10.2025 – 8:56 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
A scene in the game between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern continues to heat the minds – she could have given the game a turn. An expert has now positioned himself clearly.
It was the excitement scene in the Bundesliga top game on Saturday evening-at least from Eintracht Frankfurt’s point of view. Because in the 14th minute of the game by a dream goal of Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, the SGE had actually compensated for the early 0-1 for FC Bayern (after 15 seconds, Luis Diáz scored the lead). Then the VAR reported – and after a thorough examination of the pictures, referee Daniel Siebert the goal. The reason: In the creation, Frankfurt’s attacker Ritsu Dōan had played the ball with his hand, only then did the template for Bahoya come about.
So at least Siebert’s decision. However, a long-time German top referee takes a different opinion-and criticizes the decision in clear words: “This equalizer from Frankfurt should have counted, and the VAR shouldn’t have intervened,” explained ex-Schiri Manuel Gräfe (whistle from 2004 to 2021 in the Bundesliga) on Saturday evening at “Bild”. And further: “Even in the opinion of the pictures, the referee should have stayed on the field when evaluating. Even if he may not have noticed the handball.”
Gräfe explains: “Because only if the shooter plays hand, the goal is to be recognized. If a little two or three moves before happens, only a really deliberate handball can be punished.” This was not the case with Dōan. “Here you can see that it is not a deliberate handball, but a negligent. The striker lays the ball to the left, actually wants to get past the defender on the right, comes by accident against the ball, even against the direction of running, where he actually wants to go.”
The 52-year-old is certain: “If that had been in the penalty area, no one would have ever come up with the idea of giving a penalty for such a handball. Because that was not an enlargement, it was no intention-and from a short distance.” Gräfes conclusion: “Bad luck for Eintracht.”
After the canceled goal, Bayern largely dominated the game and ultimately deservedly won 3-0. A Frankfurt compensation gate might have given the game a different turn.