Elversberg coach Wagner pardoned by referee after admitting error

Thanks to an admission of error by referee Martin Petersen, Elversberg's coach Vincent Wagner has won the fight against his ban for the highlight duel with record champions Bayern Munich. The sports court of the German Football Association (DFB), chaired by Stephan Oberholz, overturned the previous judgment in an oral hearing. This means that the 40-year-old football teacher can watch the game on Sunday (5.30 p.m./DAZN) from the dugout as usual.

“The expulsion issued against Vincent Wagner is lifted. There is no automatic lock,” said Oberholz. This verdict was “the absolute exception” and was only possible because the arbitrator admitted an error. Wagner thanked the referee for his honesty. “I’m glad that justice was served,” he said.

Wagner, who had already been warned, was shown a yellow-red card by referee Martin Petersen for unsportsmanlike behavior in Saarland's 4-3 win in Mönchengladbach last Saturday after entering the pitch during half-time. The promoted team's first objection to the resulting automatic ban was rejected by the DFB.

In the oral hearing, Petersen, who was connected via video, described the expulsion as a mistake. «In the aftermath, I felt my reaction was inappropriate. I wouldn't make the same decision again. “Perhaps I was too sensitive and misinterpreted the situation,” said the referee.

Former referee Marco Fritz, who is responsible for rule questions at DFB-Schiri GmbH, also spoke of a wrong decision. «I can't find anything that justifies a yellow-red card. It is obvious that entering the field was not disrespectful. It is not apparent that he wanted to heat up the mood. “I don’t see anything more than a warning,” said Fritz.

Wagner's expulsion caused a lack of understanding in many places. Even Munich's CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and coach Vincent Kompany had spoken out in favor of lifting the ban.