Union boss sees “scandal” verdict
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With sharp attacks against the control committee of the German Football Association led by chief prosecutor Anton Nachreiner and rival VfL Bochum, Union Berlin President Dirk Zingler justified his objection to the defeat at the green table because of the lighter throw. At the same time, the club boss let it be known that some Bundesliga rivals had signaled their interest in appearing as co-plaintiffs when they went to the DFB Federal Court.
The control committee headed by Nachreiner wanted to “set a political example again,” said Zingler on the TV channel “Sky”. “He wanted to force a verdict to combat violence in the stands. Then a referee is often sacrificed.”
On Thursday, the DFB sports court scored Berlin’s game against Bochum, which ended 1-1 on December 14th, 2-0 for Westphalia. VfL goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was hit in the head by a lighter and was unable to continue playing after the 25-minute break.
It was at the discretion of referee Martin Petersen to continue the game. “If you experienced live how Mr. Petersen was aggressively pressured by the control committee to admit that he had made a mistake. If we get to the point where the control committee puts pressure on the referees… That’s why I said: This ruling is a scandal,” explained Zingler. If the referee made a mistake, the game would have to be replayed, said the Union President.
Union Berlin’s Zingler criticizes VfL Bochum: “Not played fairly”
Zingler also attacked the Bochum team. “I find it an unfair scandal that Bochum is using the process to gain an advantage in terms of sport.” You have to protect sport and football. “Bochum should take a look at this. They didn’t play fairly,” said Zingler. There is now a risk that games will constantly be canceled.
According to Zingler, some rivals in the relegation battle had contacted him. “They asked whether they could join in, whether they could act as co-plaintiffs,” said the club boss, with a view to the subsequent hearing before the DFB Federal Court. He did not want to reveal which clubs these were. “There aren’t that many down there.”