VAR plays decisive role, Borussia Dortmund-Cologne must be replayed

The Video Assistant Referee technology didn’t work properly

BORUSSIA DORTMUND VAR COLOGNE / Borussia Dortmund defeated Cologne 5-0 on Sunday also thanks to a goal and penalty awarded with help from the video assistant referee (VAR). Cologne is, therefore, pointless and at the bottom of the Bundesliga after four games.

However, un unexpected scenario could change the situation and the match between Borussia Dortmund and Cologne could be replayed if the German football federation confirms that the VAR has led the referee to the mistake.

Cologne was furious about the first VAR incident where the referee initially disallowed a Dortmund goal by Sokratis and awarded them a free kick, before reversing the decision. 

Joerg Schmadtke, Cologne's sporting director, clearly highlighted that the referee had not followed the standard protocol. The German side is, therefore, ready to demand a replay of the game. 

The main issue happened when Borussia Dortmund scored the 2-0 in the extra-time of the first-half. After a corner, Cologne's goalkeeper Horn caught the ball and the referee awarded a free-kick due to a foul that he apparently suffered. But meantime, Borussia Dortmund's Papastathopoulos kicked the ball into the net. The referee decided to check the VAR in order to understand if Cologne's keeper had suffered the foul. Right after, the referee confirmed Borussia Dortmund's goal. According to Cologne, the goal was scored after the referee's whistle.