- Ruckus escalates around the measurement device - "What an absurdity"
Freiburg's Captain Christian Günter voiced his discontent over the penalty call in their 0:2 loss to Bayern Munich, blaming a handball by teammate Max Rosenfelder. "That's a completely insane penalty call. If that's considered a handball, then I'd rather retire from football. It's just ridiculous," said the 31-year-old defender during his post-match interview on DAZN.
Bayern's striker, Harry Kane, had clashed shoulders with Rosenfelder during an aerial challenge. The Video Assistant Referee, Harm Osmers, stepped in following the corner kick call by referee Christian Dingert. Dingert, aged 44, retraced the action on the sidelines, leading to the awarding of the penalty.
The Freiburg squad, including coach Julian Schuster, were taken aback by the call. "I felt the ball on my arm, but for me, it wasn't a penalty. I was locked in a battle with him, I think it was a standard move. I believe he would have missed by about two meters if he hadn't made contact with my hand. It's tough," lamented Rosenfelder.**
Günter wonders about the possibility of jumping without using one's arms
Sharing his sentiments, Günter echoed Rosenfelder's thoughts. "I truly can't comprehend it. The DFB should arrange a training session on how to jump without using your arms. That would be a good thing. Maybe they can introduce it the following year. Before the season starts, they should come show us pros how to jump without using our arms," said Günter.
Coach Schuster primarily focused his criticism on the VAR intervention. "I'm baffled as to why anyone would intervene," Schuster said. Dingert had handled the situation correctly and had not awarded a handball penalty. Schuster referred to the controversial penalty call made against Palinha during stoppage time, when he handled the ball in the penalty area, as "embarrassing". Schuster added, "If such a penalty is awarded, I don't want it."
FC Bayern Munich celebrated their win despite the controversy surrounding the penalty call. Günter and Rosenfelder both questioned the handball decision, expressing their disbelief at jumping without using arms in football, a skill they humorously suggested the DFB should teach.
