Sunday evening’s Bundesliga match between league leaders Bayern Munich and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim found itself decided relatively early thanks in part due to an early red card issued by match official Tobias Stieler. The 44-year-old German referee has answered for his decision to send TSG defender Kevin Akpoguma off on a straight red in the 17th-minute.
Akpguma was clearly tugging on Bayern attacker Luis Diaz’s jersey, but replays confirmed that Diaz also had his hands on his marker. The fact that both players fell onto the deck seemed a result of mutual jostling. Some understood Stieler’s decision to award a penalty, but thought the red card harsh. TSG head coach Christian Ilzer told DAZN afterwards that he didn’t feel Akpoguma had fouled Diaz at all.
“At the beginning of the duel, there was a completely normal scramble for position and nothing worthy of a penalty,” Stieler told DAZN. “Then Luis Diaz was faster, in a better position, able to shoot at goal, able to play across, and he fell due to a holding foul by the Hoffenheim player.
“This was consequently a penalty kick,” Stieler continued. “Why would Diaz fall deliberately when he had a chance to either shoot or play across to a wide open Harry Kane? I had no alternative but to issue a red card for a holding foul [on a double clear goal scoring opportunity].
“He [Akpoguma] did not question the nature of the foul,” Stieler concluded. “This was not a case for the video assistant. Such decisions are made on the pitch. I made the decision and I believe it was understandable.“
