MSV Duisburg defeated SC Verl 4–2. But referee Jarno Wienefeld wasn’t having his best day, explains expert Babak Rafati.

The fast-paced top match between MSV Duisburg and SC Verl was less than five minutes old when there had already been two goals and a controversial moment. Lex Tyger Lobinger had put the Zebras ahead early (2nd min.).

Then Yari Otto got the better of Aljaz Casar. The Duisburg player stayed down, Otto carried on and set up the quick 1-1 equalizer by Oualid Mhamdi (4th min).

The first of three wrong calls, explains former referee Babak Rafati on “liga3online”. “In midfield, Otto sticks his leg out to reach the ball but misses it. Instead, Otto’s outstretched leg causes a trip, bringing down opponent Casar. That’s a foul, so there should have been a free kick. It was a mistake to let play continue and to allow the subsequent goal.”

Shortly before the end, there was another controversial moment. Verl’s Jonas Arweiler played a high leg in a tackle with Joshua Bitter. After 83 minutes, referee Jarno Wienefeld showed a yellow card.