78 minutes had been played in Linz when Klagenfurt “Joker” Florian Jaritz blocked a shot from point-blank range with his bent arm, initiating a counterattack that included a goal. Pacult emphasized that the situation could be interpreted as an expansion. Nevertheless, from his point of view, the goal was a regular goal. “I don’t understand the rule. But the referees can’t help FIFA’s decision,” explained the veteran coach.
After the final whistle, Pacult was angry and drew a comparison to winter sports on two boards. “I’m just waiting for someone to say when skiing that the ski racers are no longer allowed to use their hands to help, which is also a natural movement,” explained the 63-year-old Viennese. “In football, it’s just as natural a movement when someone shoots at you from one meter.” There’s no one who stands there and doesn’t make a move.
No winner at Linz against Klagenfurt
Blau-Weiß Linz also missed their first home win of the season at the fourth attempt. The promoted team achieved a goalless draw against Austria Klagenfurt in the ninth round.
Rule leaves a lot of room for interpretation
Blue and White coach Gerald Scheiblehner expressed understanding for his counterpart. “I think that you never really get the handball rule under control. But it definitely needs to be improved.” However, one should not only criticize, but also have to see whether there are suggestions for improvement. Scheiblehner was also able to understand the referees, “because it is really difficult to decide what is a natural or unnatural movement.”
The supposed winning scorer Karweina was definitely annoyed. According to the rules it was probably a handball, but the Linz player “probably shot the ball into the stands”. Jaritz doubted whether a definition could be found “that leaves no gray areas.”
For Scheiblehner, handball in the penalty area in particular needs to be reconsidered. “The better solution would be if the hand actually prevented a shot on goal that would have been on goal.” The coach of the Bundesliga promoted team said that players are now intentionally shooting at opponents’ hands, and some coaches are taking this into account . “This is not a sporting path.”
Admiral Bundesliga, ninth round
Saturday:
BW Linz – Austria Klagenfurt 0-0
Hofmann Personal Stadion, SR Kijas
Linz, Hofmann Personal Stadium, 4,700 spectators, SR Kijas
BW Linz: Schmid – Mitrovic, Maranda, Koch – Gölles (85th/Schantl), Krainz, Brandner (46th/Pasic), Pirkl (92nd/Briedl) – Mensah (80th/holiday), Ronivaldo, Noß (80th/Dobras )
Klagenfurt: Menzel – Gkezos, Mahrer, Wimmer – Straudi (69th/Bonnah), Irving (87th/Wernitznig), Benatelli, Cvetko (69th/Gemicibasi), Schumacher – Karweina, Arweiler (55th/Jaritz)
Yellow cards: Brandner, Ronivaldo, Krainz and Gemicibasi, Mahrer
