In the top match between Salzburg and Sturm, referee Lechner pointed to the spot, but the VAR conceded the penalty again – wrongly, as is now clear.
It was a crucial scene in the top game between Salzburg and Sturm when Gregory Wüthrich brought down Yorbe Vertessen in the penalty area in minute 36. Referee Harald Lechner quickly made up his mind and initially pointed to the spot, but shortly afterwards the VAR switched on. A mistake.
Because in his weekly review, the VAR admits that Alan Kijas, the man in front of the monitors in Vienna-Meidling, “should not have intervened”. But Kijas recommended that Lechner watch the scene again and Lechner took the penalty back. “The referee correctly decided on a penalty,” was the final verdict of the VAR, which came a good 48 hours too late for Salzburg. Because Sturm turned the 0-1 into a 2-1 victory and thus took an important step towards defending the title.
Schröder: “No clear wrong decision”
After the game, Salzburg was amazed at the canceled penalty. Sports director Rouven Schröder said, “I don’t understand why the VAR intervened at that moment,” it was “not a clear wrong decision”. However, the German did not want to blame the referee for Salzburg’s defeat: “The referee did not decide the game for Sturm Graz.”
The 2-1 victory for Graz was of great significance in the race for the title. Sturm are now three points ahead of Vienna Austria and five points ahead of Salzburg. Säumel’s team could take another step towards defending the title as early as next Sunday. Salzburg will face Vienna Austria away shortly after.
