Referee Nicolas Winter stopped the game in Zwickau
Source: dpa/Hendrik Schmidt
The third division game between Zwickau and Essen is canceled because a Zwickau fan pours beer in the referee’s face. Although fan is obviously not the right word. A Bundesliga referee finds clear words.
Dhe scandal in the third division game between FSV Zwickau and Rot-Weiss Essen could have serious consequences for the host. After a spectator showered referee Nicolas Winter with beer while walking into the dressing room, he stopped the game when the score was 1:1. Zwickau, which is on the penultimate place in the table, is now threatened with losing a point at the green table.
Winter didn’t come out of the dressing room after the half-time break and stopped the game. Without speaking or negotiating with those responsible for both clubs, he drew this conclusion. “It’s terrible, horrible,” said Zwickau’s spokesman for the board, Frank Fischer, at Magentasport. “Certain things don’t work and they don’t work in Zwickau either. That will have consequences, ”said Fischer. He completely understands the referee’s reaction. “The protection of life and limb is the top priority. And no one has to throw a cup at anyone, ”emphasized Fischer.
One day after the scandal, it is clear who showered the referee with beer. “We identified the man, it was one of our sponsors,” said Frank Fischer, spokesman for the FSV board new press. The club announced consequences. Police said they were investigating assault. In a scuffle that followed the situation, an Essen player was also attacked, the police said. Here, too, the police identified the suspect and filed a complaint for bodily harm.
“It’s unbelievable how we referees are treated”
The anger of the spectators at the referees had ignited in the 45th minute. FSV player Nils Butzen was shown the red card for an unfortunate foul on Isaiah Young, which Winter interpreted as an emergency brake. Johann Gomez caught the free kick that was due in the penalty area, whereupon Winter awarded a penalty. This was converted by Simon Engelmann (45+3). Dominic Baumann (36th) had previously given the hosts the lead. Both teams are fighting relegation.
Bundesliga referee Patrick Ittrich jumped to his colleague’s side and said there was no alternative to stopping the game. “It’s unbelievable how we referees are treated. I’m speechless!. Hopefully this fan will be punished with full force. Don’t you think about what that does to a person?!” Ittrich wrote on Twitter.
On the evening of the game, there was an official statement from the FSV officials. “The incident is incompatible with the values of FSV Zwickau. Throughout the season we have shown what wonderful fans we have. This is the act of an individual. We are appalled and saddened by this,” the press release said. The club will work together with the relevant security authorities to examine all possible sanctions: “This also applies to the security concept, which will be part of the analysis. For this consideration, it is necessary to include all evidence so that a clear assessment of what happened and the facts can be made, from which the decision can then be derived in the spirit of fair play. We will also evaluate the decision-making process to abandon the game together with the German Football Association,” the statement said.
Zwickau pleads for a replay
You can always discuss decisions, said Fischer. However, there are rules that must be observed. The board spokesman announced preventive measures. “Even if you can’t completely rule out everything when it comes to emotions in sport, but we have to do our part to ensure that such incidents cannot be the rule,” said Fischer.
The DFB sports court must now clarify how the game will be scored. Winter will prepare a special report on this. “We hope for a mild course for us. We don’t need point deductions or game ratings against us or high financial sanctions,” explained Fischer. One therefore pleads for a game repetition, said Fischer in the direction of the DFB. Should the game be classified as a defeat, it will be very difficult for Zwickau, who are already seven points behind a non-relegation zone, to stay in the class.
