Abandoned game because of Gladbach’s abusive banner? Discussions about referee Ittrich
Patrick Ittrich
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When Gladbach beat RB Leipzig 3-0, a slanderous banner from Gladbach fans against RB caused a stir. Referee Patrick Ittrich threatened to abandon the game. After the game, this approach caused heated discussions.
Borussia Mönchengladbach won Saturday night’s game against RB Leipzig 3-0. An insulting banner in the Gladbach fan block, aimed at RB Leipzig, Max Eberl and Marco Rose, caused a stir. For referee Patrick Ittrich, the choice of words by the Borussia supporters went too far. The referee threatened to abandon the game and forced fans to remove the banner. After the game, Ittrich himself as well as the association “Fanhilfe Mönchengladbach” commented.
“An association of sons of bitches only hires sons of bitches” – that was the message that some Gladbach supporters sent out on the relevant banner. Shortly before the half-time break, referee Patrick Ittrich called for the banner to be removed over the stadium loudspeakers – otherwise, in the worst case, the game could be abandoned. In view of the 2-0 lead, the Fohlen supporters did not want to take this risk and complied with the request.
After the game, the question arose as to how likely it was that the game had been abandoned. In an interview with sky Ittrich was asked about the so-called three-step plan of the DFB. As the 43-year-old confirmed, this provides that a game abandonment can only be considered as a third stage if the game has been interrupted beforehand (first stage) or the teams have been sent to the dressing room (second stage).
The abandonment of the game was “the last resort,” explained Ittrich. “It also has to be proportionate.” However, the native of Hamburg continued: “But with banners that contain insults or abuse or such statements, I have a relatively short leash. I think this legal vacuum must be prevented both on the Internet and in the stadium. There has to be clear action must be taken against it.”
Ittrich continued: “I think the three-stage plan should be followed. But I think we have to take relatively clear action against such things. There are children in the stadium, here are people who want to see football. This area football to trumpet his insults and scornful statements, this has to stop.”
The association “Fanhilfe Mönchengladbach” accused the referee of disregarding the three-stage plan of the DFB and “a lack of understanding for fan curves [zu zeigen]which was unworthy of a BuLi referee:
Ittrich also received criticism from sports journalists Mara Pfeiffer and Max-Jacob Ost:
At the same time, many fans and users also agreed:
Everything about Gladbach & Leipzig in 90 minutes:
This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Abandoned game because of Gladbach’s abusive banner? Discussions about referee Ittrich released.