As of: 08/26/2021 5:25 p.m.
The DFB Federal Court has dismissed VfL Wolfsburg’s appeal against the valuation of the DFB Cup game at Preußen Münster. This means that the regional league is in the 2nd main round.
The DFB announced on Thursday (August 26th, 2021). This means that the draw for the 2nd main round on Sunday (6.30 p.m., live in the sports show) can take place as planned. VfL Wolfsburg won the game in the first main round of the DFB Cup 3-1 after extra time. However, the Wolfsburg made six changes.
Judge: Wolfsburg acted with gross negligence
“The non-permitted substitution of a sixth player was grossly negligent, as VfL Wolfsburg had all the necessary information on current football law at its disposal,” said Achim Späth, who chaired the meeting as chairman of the DFB Federal Court. “The fact that the two coaches might not have known about this is due to a serious organizational fault on the part of the club, which, by virtue of current football law, has led to the game revaluation carried out by the sports court.”
DFB does not allow additional changes in extra time
Due to an exemption from the rulers of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), five instead of the usual three changes are currently possible due to the coronavirus pandemic, if the organizers of the competition so wish. In addition, an additional change in extension has been possible for years – also at the request of the organizing association. The DFB already decided in the 2020/21 season that five changes are possible, but no additional changes in overtime.
In the Implementing regulations of the German Football Association It says in Paragraph 31, Paragraph 3: “During the game five players may be exchanged. An additional substitution going beyond this in games with overtime is not permitted.”
DFB sports court had decided on a 2-0 victory for Münster
In the cup game between Münster and Wolfsburg it was 1: 1 in extra time when the Bundesliga club, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Admir Mehmedi, substituted the fifth and sixth players. Münster lodged a protest, the DFB sports court awarded the club a 2-0 victory in the hearing on August 16. Accordingly, Mehmedi should not have been allowed to come on.
Wolfsburg appealed the judgment on August 17th. The case went to the next instance before the Federal Court of the DFB – but that now dismissed the appeal.
Wolfsburg coaching staff or fourth official – who’s telling the truth?
The Wolfsburg insisted that the new coach Mark van Bommel, like others from his staff, had asked the fourth official whether a sixth change would be allowed – analogous to the regulation at the European Championship. It has always been said “yes”.
The fourth official, Tobias Fritsch, said at the hearing that he had pointed out the correct number of substitutions. Whoever was telling the truth was not resolved. In the opinion of the sports court, Wolfsburg could not refer to a possible misinformation by the referee team anyway.
Wolfsburg memories of 2004
VfL Wolfsburg was subsequently eliminated in the first round of the DFB Cup because they made a mistake. The Lower Saxony won 3-0 against the second team of 1. FC Köln in August 2004. They used newcomer Marian Hristov, who was suspended because he saw the red card in the 2003 cup final with his former club 1. FC Kaiserslautern.