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Defending German champions, Borussia Dortmund, had striker Robert Lewandowski sent off in a recent match against Hamburg at the Signal Iduna Park after he fouled Skejlbred with his team losing 4-1; the Poland international being the only goal-scorer for the champions.
Ex-Spurs man and the Dutch international, Rafael Van Der Vaart picked a fight when the referee was not ready to award a red card. Soon after, van der Vaart threw himself to the floor from the slightest nudges from Lewandowski and the referee gave Lewandowski a red card as the Netherlands international escaped with a yellow.
It was announced that the Court of German Football Association has banned Lewandowski for three matches for the first red card of his career in the match against Hamburg SV for a “rough game”. Borrusia Dortmund are set to appeal against the court’s decision. “We consider this ruling covered and want a hearing,” said sporting Director Michael Zorc.
Due to the uncertainty of when the hearing will take place, the forward will miss their encounter against Eintracht Frankfurt, the game against Borussia Mönchengladbach on February 24th in Borussia Park and will also the home game against Hannover 96 on March 2nd, if this ban is not lifted.
Is it fair for Lewandowski to be given a three-match ban for an accidental kick and a slightest nudge, which resulted in the Dutchman’s fall and theatrics?
In my opinion, Robert Lewandowski’s foul was not bad enough to be awarded a red card. His encounter with Skejlbred was minimum, and it was an accidental kick, but Rafael Van der Vaart exaggerated the incident to convince the referee to award the Polish striker a red card. He decided to get himself involved and threw himself to the floor for no reason whatsoever.
Lewandowski later said, “I needed to kick up a fuss. I had the feeling the ref would not have given a red card otherwise.” This case should be further reviewed and the ban should be lifted up against the Borussia Dortmund’s number 9.
