SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Cologne drop demands for replay over alleged VAR mistake

BERLIN (Reuters) - Table-propping FC Cologne have backed down from demanding a replay over a goal they claim was wrongly awarded to opponents Borussia Dortmund with the help of a video assistant referee (VAR) in their 5-0 Bundesliga defeat on Sunday.

2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Skip to article content

Cologne were angry about the second goal where they were initially awarded a free kick, only for the referee to change his mind and gave a goal to the hosts after consulting with the VAR.

Cologne, who have no points from their first four league games, announced afterwards that they would lodge a protest and ask for the match to be replayed but on Tuesday said that "the chances of success for such a protest are slim."

The incident happened in the 45th minute at Signal Iduna Park when Cologne goalkeeper Timo Horn dropped the ball at a corner and Dortmund defender Sokratis tapped it into the net.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The Billy Goats repeated their claim on Tuesday that the referee blew his whistle for a foul before the ball crossed the line.

"The ball only crossed the line after the referee's whistle," said the statement. "Therefore, he could not have turned to the VAR and awarded the goal."

The German Football Association (DFB), asked by Reuters to comment on behalf of referee Patrick Ittrich, did not immediately reply.

Both the Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A are trialling the use of VARs this season in co-operation with soccer's rule-making body the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

The IFAB is expected to decide in March whether to permit VARs on a permanent basis. Global soccer body FIFA is hoping to use them at the World Cup in Russia next year.

(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Christian Radnedge)


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world