Bundesliga 3-0 lead wasted
“An impudence” – Darmstadt’s anger at the referee
Status: 18.09.2023 | Reading time: 2 minutes
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Newly promoted Darmstadt 98 is leading against Borussia Mönchengladbach and is on the verge of its first win of the season. But then everything collapses. The Hessians see the reason for this primarily in the referee. That’s a contradiction.
The frustration of SV Darmstadt 98 players and those in charge over the wasted first win of the season in the wild 3:3 (3:0) against Borussia Mönchengladbach erupted in severe criticism of referee Timo Gerach. “The penalty and the red card are definitely incomprehensible. “That’s an outrage,” complained Darmstadt’s President Rüdiger Fritsch about the referee’s controversial decision in the game at the end of the fourth matchday in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
According to the TV images, Gerach had sent Lilien defender Matej Maglica off the field in the 49th minute for a handball in his own penalty area and also awarded a penalty, which goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen saved. Despite being outnumbered, the Hessians still squandered their 3-0 lead from the first half.
“In my opinion, the red card was a very tough decision against us,” said Darmstadt coach Torsten Lieberknecht. Captain Fabian Holland criticized: “I saw the scene on TV. Double punishment is difficult to accept.” The sinner himself was not aware of any guilt at all. “I was told by the referee that I actively took the ball with my hand. “I didn’t feel that way, and I don’t think the pictures would show it,” Maglica said.
“We also have to make unpopular decisions”
For the referee, however, the situation that turned the game around was clear. “The Darmstadt player took the ball with his hand, the pictures show that clearly,” said Gerach and added the reason for the expulsion: “The text of the rules says very clearly: If there is control of the ball by the striker, then it is a clear thwarting of one Chance to score and punished with red. From my perspective, it was a clear chance to score and was therefore punished with a red card.”
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The 36-year-old referee also expressed understanding for the emotional reactions of the people of Darmstadt. “I realize the impact of a decision like this. But that’s the lot of us referees: we sometimes have to make tough and unpopular decisions,” said Gerach. He received support from referee instructor Lutz Wagner. “The decision is worthy of discussion, but not wrong,” said Wagner.
