Hoeneß aggrieved by VAR intervention during Heidenheim clash

It is fair to say that Sebastian Hoeneß was far from pleased with the officiating at the Voith-Arena, making his frustration clear after Stuttgart’s dramatic draw.

VfB Stuttgart had to twice come from behind against 1. FC Heidenheim, recovering from 2-1 and 3-2 deficits before Deniz Undav struck a late equaliser to rescue a point. Yet much of the post-match discussion centred on the officials and two pivotal VAR interventions.

Speaking afterwards, Hoeneß revealed he had exchanged words with referee Sascha Stegemann. “We talked about the game,” he told DAZN, declining to go into detail but describing the encounter as “heated” and one in which “many things happened.”

The Stuttgart head coach was particularly aggrieved by the decision to award Heidenheim a first-half penalty with the score at 1-1. Stuttgart thought they had taken the lead through Ermedin Demirović, only for VAR to intervene and pull play back to the opposite penalty area. There, Maximilian Mittelstädt was adjudged to have fouled Eren Dinkçi, allowing Arijon Ibrahimović to convert from the spot and put Heidenheim in front.

“I see the contact, but immediately afterwards Maxi blocks it,” Hoeneß said. “Sorry, guys. To intervene from the sidelines now, which then means we don’t score a goal – that’s unacceptable. I don’t understand it. It’s not enough for me.”

While acknowledging there was contact, Hoeneß insisted it did not meet the threshold for VAR involvement. “It’s in slow motion. The right foot makes a block almost simultaneously. That’s a challenge that would never be called in midfield. For me, it’s not a clear and obvious wrong decision.”

After the break, frustration mounted when another Demirović goal was ruled out for a marginal offside following further VAR scrutiny. “That’s tough when you see the graphic,” Hoeneß added, referring to a decision that was virtually imperceptible to the naked eye.

In the end, Undav’s late strike at least ensured Stuttgart left with a point. Die Schwaben remain fourth in the table ahead of next weekend’s home clash with Wolfsburg – though Hoeneß’ post-match comments made clear that the sense of injustice still lingers.