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It was one of the key scenes in the Rhine derby between Cologne and Leverkusen: referee Robert Hartmann awarded a hand penalty for Bayer – a whistle that led to heated discussions long after the end of the game. Everything about the controversial scene in the Bundesliga update.
On matchday 31 of the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen won in Cologne, even though the Werkself were not the dominant team. The goal shooting ratio of 24:9 clearly spoke for FC. Said El Mala alone had 9 shots on goal, narrowly missing the season high of Harry Kane and Deniz Undav (10 each). The podcast hosts Tobi Schäfer and Lisa Tellers discuss whether the controversial hand penalty for Leverkusen had a decisive influence on the game.
Hartmann decision fuels VAR criticism
When the score was 0-0, Cologne’s Eric Martel got the ball in the penalty area somewhere between his upper arm, shoulder and chest. Referee Robert Hartmann decided on a penalty without his own video review and admitted after the game that it wasn’t really a penalty. A scene that once again fuels the discussion about the VAR.
“I can’t turn my arm away anymore” Martel had already said about the situation himself. “For me it was breast too, I can’t understand why he doesn’t look at it.” The hosts of the Bundesliga Update have a similar opinion.”For me it’s not a handball. I also don’t understand why the TV experts said it was a handball” says Lisa Tellers.
Lisa Tellers: “The VAR has to get in touch”
“The only indication that points to a handball is that he actually turns around a bit and accepts that he will somehow get his hand on the ball“, Tobi Schäfer points out. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t have made the decision that way either: “Otherwise he does everything right, he folds his arms behind his back. There’s still a bit of arm left at the top, as you can’t fold your arms behind your back.“
Both criticize the lack of VAR intervention. “The referee indicated that Martel had taken his arm out. He didn’t even notice that his arm was behind his back. The VAR has to get in touch“, says Lisa Tellers. But Tobi Schäfer also sees the referee himself as responsible for reviewing a tricky decision: “If I were him, I would have just gone out and looked at it again.“
St. Pauli’s form crisis – will Wolfsburg overtake the Kiezkickers?
In addition to the exciting scene in the derby, the Bundesliga Update also looks at all the other important topics of the matchday: Is St. Pauli now threatened with direct relegation? Are Cologne, Hamburg and Co. already almost certain of staying in the league? And who is ahead in the race for the European Cup at the end of the season? And of course: How did FC Bayern make such an incredible comeback again? Everything about it in the current episode.
The Bundesliga update – every Thursday and Monday
The Bundesliga update is available on ARD Sounds, everywhere there are podcasts and on the Sportschau football channel on YouTube. New episodes appear on Thursday afternoons and Monday mornings.
