Leipzig’s handball penalty against Wolfsburg sparks debate

Even the RB Leipzig players were surprised to be awarded a penalty in Wednesday’s 1-0 DFB-Pokal win over Wolfsburg.

A controversial penalty decision proved decisive as RB Leipzig eliminated Wolfsburg from the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals with a 1-0 win on Wednesday night.

Much to Wolfsburg’s frustration, referee Tobias Reichel pointed to the spot after Benjamin Sesko’s cross struck the hand of Kilian Fischer from close range – a decision that was upheld after a VAR review.

“What should ‘Kili’ (Fischer) do: cut off his arm?” fumed Wolfsburg goalkeeper Marius Müller after the game.

Wolfsburg were particularly angry that Reichel chose not to look at the pitch-side monitor to review the situation.

“That’s why we have this thing. I don’t think it was a clear handball at all,” said coach Ralph Hasenhüttl.

Even match-winner Benjamin Sesko was “a bit surprised” by the decision, while Leipzig defender David Raum sympathized with the Wolfsburg players.

“I went up to some of the Wolfsburg players during the game and said I felt sorry for them. I’m a full-back myself and I know how disgusting it is when you want to block a cross,” Raum said.

Referee Reichel explained his decision as follows:

“He had a clear view of the ball. The distance was short, but he took two steps to get in the way, the ball was predictable. When the ball hit his arm, it was stretched.”