Foul? Handball? VAR decision? VfB Stuttgart is annoyed with referee Felix Zwayer at Bayer Leverkusen. DFB expert Lutz Wagner classifies the scenes on SWR Sport.
A clear striker foul by Victor Boniface on Anthony Rouault, a clear handball by Piero Hincapié, plus a clear case for a VAR decision: This is how VfB Stuttgart players and coaches saw the controversial scenes during the heated injury time in the 2-2 draw in Leverkusen.
After the final whistle, VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß spoke of “three situations that were whistled in one direction within 15 or 20 seconds” – i.e. in favor of the German champions. Deniz Undav, who scored the goal to make it 2-0, actually got really upset and wasn’t at all satisfied with referee Felix Zwayer’s decisions: “If I said what I had in my head – then I would be banned.”
Andrich scores for Bayer, Zwayer gives a thumbs up
So a series of bad decisions that Zwayer and video assistant Sven Jablonksi made immediately before Leverkusen’s last-minute equalizer by Robert Andrich (90th + 6th)? No, definitely not – says Lutz Wagner, ex-Bundesliga referee and now instructor at the German Football Association (DFB).
Lutz Wagner
IMAGO / Jan Huebner
The duel between Boniface and Rouault was not a clear foul by the Bayer attacker. “Of course he uses his arms, but it was by no means a push, pull or hold that had to be punished,” explains Wagner when asked by SWR Sport. Zwayer generally “let a lot of runs happen in the penalty area” and stuck to his line at that moment too.
VfB Stuttgart in Leverkusen: Hincapié’s hand becomes an issue
“You have to give a referee a certain amount of discretion,” appeals Wagner – and refers to other close duels that took place in the Leverkusen penalty area at the moment of the Boniface/Rouault duel and could just as easily have become the focus of the discussions.
About the second big upset from VfB’s point of view – the alleged handball by Hincapié, from whose arm the ball bounced in front of Andrich’s feet – Wagner says: “On the one hand, that was unintentional and not punishable.” Only if Hincapié had scored the goal directly himself would the goal not have counted.
When assessing this immediacy, the referee expert explains, three criteria are generally important. For the possible annulment of a goal, it is relevant whether: another player who did not have the ball in his hand scores the goal; there is another pass to a teammate in the game situation; or whether there is another dribble or feint in the situation.
“If one of these criteria occurs, that is enough to say: It is not a direct and punishable hand touch,” says Wagner. Referee Zwayer “did absolutely everything right” in Leverkusen on Saturday evening (April 27, 2024).
Lutz Wagner on VAR behavior: Everything is fine
Conversely, this also means: At that moment there was no reason for the VAR to intervene in the emotional events during stoppage time and send Zwayer to the video monitor. “The VAR did not recommend him to go out. Everything is fine,” says Wagner, who also reminds: “In principle, all scenes that may decide the game, such as goals, sending offs and penalties, are checked by the VAR.”
Nevertheless, the 60-year-old also shows understanding for Stuttgart’s emotions over the late equalizer. “That annoys you and you understand it,” says Wagner: “But I’m sure that the people of Stuttgart will quickly evaluate the decisions a little differently.”
Leverkusen
Football | Bundesliga “Then I would be banned”: VfB quarrels with referee Zwayer in Leverkusen
VfB Stuttgart has Bayer Leverkusen on the verge of a defeat. Then there is a late goal – and ultimately a lot of anger at the referee.
Sat. April 27, 2024 8:00 p.m. Disco SWR1 Baden-Württemberg