FIFA referee Felix Zwayer has spoken after the heated derby between Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund (4:2). Zwayer, who had sent two BVB players off the pitch with a plain red card, defended his decisions.
Zwayer’s statements were recorded by SID.
“Why did you decide on Handelfmeter for Schalke 04?”
Felix Zwayer: “The decision was based on the perception I had of the pictures in the Review Area. It was clearly seen that the ball was touched with the hand. The arm is stretched out at shoulder level and the ball is blocked with it. That’s an increase in body area. So the decision was relatively easy for me to make. According to national and international interpretation, this is a punishable handball and therefore a penalty kick.”
“Can you understand the excitement of BVB coach Lucien Favre. He said it was a scandal and nobody looked through it anymore.”
Zwayer: “This is not a question to be asked of me. I don’t make the rules. There is a set of rules that we implement. It is interpreted and interpreted, there are clear instructions before the season, which come from FIFA, UEFA and DFB. If you don’t agree with this rule, then the referees are actually the poorest pigs. We implement what is specified.”
“Were the two red cards indisputable against Dortmund?”
Zwayer: “They were indisputable. I’m totally convinced that Marco Reus tried to play the ball. But he did not succeed because the situation was different from what he thought it would be. In the end, we have to judge what is happening and not what the intention was. He went on the Achilles tendon with his leg stretched out. It’s a health hazard. That makes the decision.”
“Schalker Weston McKennie has seen the yellow card for a similar scene. Was it the difference that he came from the front?”
Zwayer: “Absolutely. The demarcation is clearly there. It’s a ruthless entry, but not a brutal game.”
