Key takeaways from Borussia Dortmund’s thrashing of Paderborn

Penalty Controversy

It is only fitting that right after Borussia Dortmund were denied a penalty on a Boatang hand ball against Bayern, they concede a penalty on an even less clear cut play, causing outrage amongst BVB supporters, and rightly so.

On Tuesday, Dortmund were denied a pretty clear penalty when Boatang’s outstretched elbow blocked a shot that was clearly heading into the back of the net. Not only was it not given, but VAR failed to intervene and suggest the ref take a closer look. With Dortmund losing 1-0 in the game, a penalty would have been massive to their hopes of getting at least a point out of the game.

Against Paderborn, Emre Can jumped in front of a shot, doing an exceptional job of keeping his arm in tight to his chest. As unobjectively as possible, I would say his arm was much tighter to his body and in a much more natural position than Boatang’s.

Regardless this was instantly deemed a handball and a penalty for Paderborn insued. The hand ball rule is getting impossible to follow and every ref seemingly has a different interpretation of the rule.

Once again it is just curious that this call went in the way of Bayern against Dortmund and a similar play goes against Dortmund less than a week later.