By Andrew Warshaw
May 20 – Two months after its top clubs voted against goalline technology, the subject has moved back into the spotlight in Germany following a controversial decision in last weekend’s domestic cup final between rivals Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund were confident they had scored when Mats Hummels headed home in the 64th minute, only for defender Dante to desperately try and clear off the line with the score at 0-0.
The goal was ruled out but television replays showed both Dante’s leg and the ball were clearly over the line. Bayern went on to strike twice in extra time to lift the trophy and complete the domestic double.
Dortmund were left fuming with coach Juergen Klopp saying had the goal counted it would have changed the game. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola agreed, acknowledging the ruling was a let-off for his team.
The Bundesliga has had a number of refereeing controversies this season, notably Stefan Kiessling’s ‘ghost goal’ for Leverkusen against Hoffenheim in October which was missed by the referee. “If ever there was one example to be in favour of goal-line technology, then this is the match,” said Leverkusen’s sporting director Rudi Völler at the time.
Germany Football League managing director Andreas Rettig hinted the issue could now come back on the agenda. “If it is the wish of the clubs then there is nothing in the way of a new vote. The DFL is well prepared,” Rettig told reporters.
“If Dortmund CEO Hans Joachim Watzke or a representative of other clubs resuggests goalline technology, it would be something that I would support,” added DFL chief Reinhard Rauball, who is also president of the losing finalists.
Back on March 24, a majority of the 36 clubs from the first and second division rejected the introduction of technology with half of the top-flight clubs voting in favour and only three of 18 second division teams backing the idea.
A two-thirds majority was needed but too many clubs were worried about the cost.
Had it passed, the Bundesliga would have become the third major league in Europe to introduce goalline technology at top-flight level, after England and the Netherlands, the latter using it for high-profile games only.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, German head of the European Club Association, said at the time he was disappointed by the no vote. Mainz boss Thomas Tuchel went further, stating that he was utterly baffled by the outcome. “For me, it is incomprehensible that it has been rejected,” he lamented. “I can’t understand it.”
Goalline technology will be available to officials at this year’s World Cup in Brazil and the chairman of the German Football Association’s (DFB) referee commission, Herbert Fandel, cranked up the debate. “We referees have always said that we would welcome the introduction of goal-line technology,” he stated in the wake of the German cup final. “It supports the referees in the most important decision of football and also takes away a little of the criticism.”
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