Controversial VAR decisions in the Bundesliga
The introduction of the use of video assistant referees to the Bundesliga has not gone as smoothly as the league had hoped. Here is a look at some of the more controversial decisions in which VARs have been involved.
Goal after the whistle
With Dortmund in a 1-0 lead over Cologne on Matchday 4, Sokratis (third from right) scored from a corner just before the break. Referee Patrick Ittrich ruled it no goal because he had whistled the play dead before the ball crossed the line. The VAR overruled him and the goal stood. Cologne were left wondering how a goal could be given after the whistle had been blown. Dortmund went on to win 5-0.
Invisible bounce?
Frankfurt's 1-0 victory over Cologne on Matchday 5 was the result of a VAR penalty decision.Timo Horn (right) attempted to poke the ball away from Mijat Gacinovic. The VAR ruled it a foul and a penalty was called even though it was clear that the ball bounced up after Horn had made contact with it. Sebastien Haller converted the spot kick to secure the victory for Frankfurt.
The wrong winner?
Matchday 8: With the match tied at 1-1 in injury time, Cologne's Sehrou Guirassy (right) and Stuttgart's Dennis Aogo (middle) collided in Stuttgart's area. Referee Benjamin Cortus gave Cologne a penalty, but the VAR reversed the on-field decision despite what most agreed was inconclusive video evidence. Chadrac Akolo scored the winning goal moments later to hand Stuttgart a 2-1 win.
Intentional handball?
Shortly after kickoff between Stuttgart and Freiburg on Matchday 10, Daniel Ginczek (left) challenged Caglar Söyüncü (right) for the ball. Söyüncu's hand touched the ball, and Ginczek argued that he had done so on purpose. The VAR agreed and found that Söyüncü had denied Ginczek a goal-scoring opportunity. Therefore he was was sent off - much to the dismay of Freiburg coach Christian Streich.
Soft contact?
Mainz beat Cologne 1-0 on Matchday 12 thanks to a favorable VAR penalty decision. Pablo De Blasis (second from left) had dribbled into Cologne's box before going to ground after contact with Frederick Sorensen (fourth from right). The VAR awarded Mainz the penalty even though video replay showed minimal contact. Daniel Brosinski converted the spot kick to hand Cologne a third consecutive loss.
Intentional or defensible?
Already down 1-0 on Matchday 12, a VAR decision 14 minutes into the game gave Hertha Berlin even more grief. Gladbach's Lars Stindl fired a shot off the arm of Karim Rekik (left) and referee Bastian Dankert (right) initially gave a corner. But the VAR ruled it a handball, which also meant that Dankert had not choice but to give Rekik a yellow card. Gladbach went on to win the match 4-2.
Best hand forward?
The Signal Iduna Park errupted when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (right) scored the opening goal for Dortmund in the Revierderby on Matchday 13. But the video replay clearly showed that the Gabonese striker's hand had touched the ball as it crossed the goal line. The VAR didn't intervene, but Schalke had the last laugh as they reversed a 4-0 deficit at the half to earn a 4-4 draw in injury time.