At RB Leipzig, they could hardly believe it. The Germans seemed to take the lead against Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, but after a controversial decision, the goal was disallowed. Much to the displeasure of coach Marco Rose.
In the aftermath of a contentious disallowed goal involving his player Benjamin Sesko, Leipzig's coach, Rose, doubled down on his criticism of the officiating in a post-match press conference.
He specifically pointed out the role of Pol van Boekel, who served as the video assistant referee during the match. Rose suggested that upon a fair review of the incident, any honest referee would acknowledge the error in ruling out the goal.
Rose expressed a willingness to forgive the mistake, emphasizing that erring is a part of the human aspect of refereeing, provided that there is an acknowledgment of the error. His stance found resonance not only within domestic circles but also internationally, notably in Spain, highlighting the widespread scrutiny of the officiating standards in this instance.
Diving deeper into the incident, Rose criticized the linesman's decision-making, particularly noting how the flag was raised for offside "more or less at the free-kick," which, in his view, clearly was not the correct call. He lamented the state of officiating, indicating a systemic issue with decisions that, despite being evidently incorrect, remain unchanged.
Rose also touched upon the experience level of the officiating team, pointing out that the referee's inexperience, especially given that it was his first knockout match, might have contributed to the nerves and the subsequent mistake. However, he was careful to absolve the referee of any intentional wrongdoing, instead expressing hope for improvement in future performances.
This detailed critique from Rose underscores not only the immediate frustration stemming from a pivotal moment in the match but also broader concerns regarding the quality and consistency of refereeing, especially in crucial fixtures.
