Sporting director Jörg Schmadtke admits on Monday that VfL Wolfsburg made ‘a mistake’ in the cup match against Preussen Münster. The team of trainer Mark van Bommel won 1-3 on Sunday after extra time, but the trainer made too many changes. He brought in six substitutes while only five have been allowed in cup matches. As a result, there is a threat of elimination in the DFB-Pokal
“This is extremely frustrating but unfortunately cannot be reversed,” said Schmadtke in a statement on the club’s website. “We will analyze the matter internally and make sure that nothing like this happens again. It is now important to seize the sporting challenges that lie ahead with both hands. We are all disappointed, but are convinced that we be able to continue our sporting development without drawing personnel consequences.”
“Despite all the anger and frustration, we have to keep a cool head, even though we briefly considered enrolling everyone in a reading comprehension course. After careful reflection, we decided not to,” he finally jokes. Van Bommel made three substitutions in regular time and then three more in extra time. The rules of the DFB do not allow that and according to kicker Referee Christian Dingert mentioned the violation in his match report.
The rules of the DFB state that ‘five substitutions are possible in the new season’ and that ‘an extra substitution in extra time is not allowed’. Wolfsburg is said to have asked the fourth official during the game whether an extra substitution was allowed. kicker wrote that the arbitration failed, but that Wolfsburg should also look in the mirror. The leading magazine spoke of a ‘deep scratch’ for Wolfsburg and for Van Bommel. “The reputational damage for the Champions League participant is great. Apparently there is no knowledge of the rules and the doubts did not prevent them from making a sixth substitution,” wrote. kicker Monday.
Wolfsburg thought he could get away with it against the fourth divisionist during the match: Josip Brekalo prevented Preussen Münster from taking a win in regular time with a goal in the ninetieth minute; Wout Weghorst made it 1-2 in extra time, after which Ridle Baku put the final score on the scoreboard.
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