Story highlights
Hoffenheim fail in bid to get Bundesliga match against Bayer Leverkusen replayed
Hoffenheim lost the home match 2-1
Second Leverkusen goal from Stefan Kiessling controversially awarded
DFB said it had 'no alternative' but to let the result stand
Hoffenheim have failed in their bid to get their 2-1 Bundesliga home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen replayed despite the controversial ‘ghost’ goal scored by visiting striker Stefan Kiessling.
The German Football Association (DFB) said Monday the result would stand but have given Hoffenheim one week to appeal the decision.
High flying Leverkusen were winning the ninth round match on October 18 by a single goal in the 70th minute when Kiessling headed a corner just wide of the home goal.
German international striker Kiessling was seen with his head in his hands, apparently acknowledging a bad miss, but the ball found its way into the net through a hole in the side netting.
It was enough to convince referee Felix Brych that the effort was legitimate and to the dismay of all concerned he awarded the goal.
Read: Leverkusen beat Hoffenheim after controversial goal
Leverkusen, pushing Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund hard at the top of the standings, eventually claimed three valuable points in a 2-1 win, but it has come at a cost.
Kiessling, bidding for a regular place up front in the German international team for the World Cup in Brazil, has been subjected to much criticism and there have been renewed demands for FIFA to introduce video technology to help referees in such situations.
After a 90-minute hearing in Frankfurt, the head of the DFB tribunal, Judge Hans E. Lorenz said they had been left with “no alternative” but to uphold the original result.
“The question isn’t whether this judgment satisfies us from a sporting perspective,” he said in a statement on the DBF website.
“From a legal point of view, there is no alternative. There are no grounds for the appeal. The factual decision may have been incorrect, but it is irrevocable.”
Read: Bayern stay top thanks to super Mario
Hoffenheim cited an incident in a match between Bayern and Nuremberg in 1994 when Bayern’s Thomas Helmer scored a similar ‘ghost’ goal in a 2-1 win.
That game was replayed and Bavarian giants Bayern cruised to a 5-0 win.
Bayer Leverkusen are tied on points with Dortmund after a 2-1 win over Augsburg at the weekend, a point behind reigning champions Bayern, while Hoffenheim remain in mid table.
Kiessling has six goals for the season, including his effort against Hoffenheim, one behind the leading tally.
