“We can’t always defend the referees” – Amiri claims Mainz were denied a “clear penalty” against Leverkusen

Nadiem Amiri hit out at the referee following Mainz’s wild defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

Mainz slipped to a frustrating 3-4 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen at the MEWA-Arena on Saturday.

For Nadiem Amiri, the Zero-Fivers should clearly have been awarded a penalty in the 21st minute, when Edmond Tapsoba and Paul Nebel collided.

Much to the Mainz captain’s frustration, the incident was reviewed, but referee Florian Exner was not sent to the VAR monitor.

“I don’t really want to say anything against the referee. But we’re always criticized for our mistakes. We can’t always defend the referees, it’s frustrating. I just saw the footage, and that’s a clear penalty,” Amiri told Sportschau after the match.

Exner defended his decision, explaining:

“I saw the player take a big risk with his extended left leg and luckily just missed. He only made light contact with the trailing leg, so I consider it partly accidental. Looking at the footage, a penalty could be given, but , but it’s up to my judgment – not a VAR situation.”

Commenting on the game in general, Amiri described it as “a bit slapstick, a bit wild.”

“We put in the effort, we go full throttle. But luck is just not on our side right now.”

The defeat was Mainz’s third consecutive loss in the Bundesliga and leaves Bo Henriksen’s troops in 16th place.