In the 50th minute of the second leg of the 1/8 finals of the Champions League Chelsea – Borussia (2: 0) Kai Havertz failed to convert a penalty, correctly appointed for the handball by Marius Wolf. The ball, after being hit by a London team player, hit the post, bounced off it into the center of the penalty area, then was picked up by one of the guests’ players and was knocked out of the penalty area.
After that, video referee Paul van Buekel intervened, and referee Danny Makkeli ordered a re-11-meter kick. The VAR determined that the player who kicked the ball broke the rules: before Havertz hit, he stopped keeping the prescribed distance, ran into the semicircle in front of the penalty area, was the first on the ball and, ahead of everyone, knocked it out.
March 7th. Chelsea – Borussia – 2:0.
For the second time, Havertz took a better penalty, scored a goal and took Chelsea to the quarter-finals, eliminating Dortmund from the tournament.
A team of referees from the Netherlands, in particular VAR van Buekel, made a serious mistake. The document (VAR Handbook), which defines the rules for the operation of video assistants during a 11-meter impact, has been violated.
It states that the VAR has the right to proceed with the review only in two cases.
1. When a player of the attacking team violates the procedure for taking a penalty kick, after which he himself scores a goal or takes a direct part in organizing a goal.
2. When a player of the defending team violates the procedure for taking a penalty and does not allow the opponent to play the ball or prevents him from running to the ball in a situation where there is a goal-scoring opportunity.
March 7th. Chelsea – Borussia – 2:0.
As can be seen in the freeze-frame, the Borussia footballer, who first ran into the semicircle before the impact and then knocked the ball out, did not interfere with anyone. Havertz was not allowed to play the ball because it bounced off the post without touching anyone. Another Chelsea player was also at a considerable distance.
Under such circumstances, van Buekel had no reason to intervene. However, he did so, influencing the course and outcome of the match.
March 7th. Chelsea – Borussia – 2:0.
