Overview
- Bayern’s 16-game winning run ended with a 2-2 draw at Union Berlin as Manuel Neuer admitted a mistake on Danilho Doekhi’s opener before Harry Kane salvaged a point in stoppage time.
- An early Union goal by Ilyas Ansah was overturned for what Sky reported as a one-to-two-centimetre offside from the Cologne VAR hub, triggering widespread fan anger over ultra-marginal rulings.
- Referee Deniz Aytekin awarded three penalties in Gladbach’s 3-1 win over Köln, later calling Köln’s late spot-kick a “hard penalty” and acknowledging he might not give it at 0-0, while praising the VAR support.
- Köln coach Lukas Kwasniok and Gladbach’s Eugen Polanski condemned the current use of VAR, arguing it distorts dynamic actions and influences referees’ on-field decisions.
- Lothar Matthäus blasted Europa League referee Allard Lindhout for rejecting a late Fenerbahce penalty after a VAR check and separately urged the DFL on live TV to enforce consistent, uniform evaluations.