Referee Frank Willenborg reviews the disputed scene with the help of VAR Photo: City Press GmbH
From BZ/dpa
Referee Frank Willenborg justified the withdrawal of a penalty kick for Eintracht Frankfurt in the game at Hertha BSC with a faulty perception on the pitch.
Shortly before the end, the referee had initially decided on a penalty for the Hessians when the score was 1: 1 because Hertha goalkeeper Oliver Christensen should have fouled Eintracht striker Rafael Borré – but revised his judgment after studying the video images.
“My perception on the field was that the goalkeeper takes the foot away from the striker. It seemed clear at first. But my perception did not match the pictures of the video referee,” said Willenborg on Sky.
The controversial penalty scene: Hertha’s goalkeeper Oliver Christensen easily hits Frankfurt’s Santos Borré on the right foot Photo: LISI NIESNER/REUTERS
He decided to watch the scene again himself on the sidelines. “I see in the pictures that there is a touch, but it is not the cause of the player falling. For me, that’s a streak.”
The goal to 1:1 Photo: City Press GmbH
It was important to him that the right decision was made at the end, one that suited his “game management”, which is why studying the video images took some time.
Hertha BSC
“I whistled very generously in this game, let a lot run. I wouldn’t have whistled for that touch in midfield either, so I took the penalty back,” said Willenborg. The game also ended 1:1.