Referee Felix Zwayer overruled goal-line technology

In the game between FSV Mainz 05 and Arminia Bielefeld, 05er defender Moussa Niakhate scored a regular goal according to goal-line technology. Referee Felix Zwayer correctly took the Mainz goal back after viewing the video material.

Zwayer then explained the situation with faulty technology. “The provider has to evaluate that. We heard that the system was checked during the game and that there was indeed a malfunction,” said the referee after the match.

Previously, goal-line technique had sounded the alarm when Niakhate headed in, even though the ball was obviously not entirely behind the line. After checking the video material, Zwayer took back the irregular hit.

Zwayer himself expressed the desire to watch the scene again. “I really wanted to. I wanted to get an idea for myself. It also gave me the opportunity to convey the whole thing to the players in an authentic way,” said the referee. Together with his team, he had a very clear perception. “that the ball couldn’t actually have been in the goal”.

Bielefeld’s coach Frank Kramer took the scene with humor. “The more technology, the better it is. Then the technology can overrule the technology,” he said. The Mainz sports director Martin Schmidt emphasized: “The technology played a trick.”

In the end it didn’t matter too much anyway. Mainz easily beat Bielefeld 4-0 (1-0).