Monday, 28th October, 2013
Germany's football federation have rejected Hoffenheim's claims for a replay of their Bundesliga clash against Bayer Leverkusen despite the "ghost goal".
Hoffenheim went down 2-0 in their game earlier this month when a Stefan Kiessling header went in through a hole in the side netting.
Bayer Leverkusen emerged 2-1 victors in the game, but Hoffenheim had lodged an official complaint about the decision and a hearing took place in Frankfurt today.
The claim for a replay was dropped but Hoffenheim do have the right to appeal within a week.
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"After looking at the evidence, we could see no grounds for opposition [to the referee’s decision]", sports court president Hans Lorenz told the DFB website.
"Referee Dr Felix Brych took an incontestable and factual decision. The allegation that there had been a breach of the rules was dropped by the representatives of Hoffenheim during the hearing itself.
"The decision may be unsatisfactory in sporting terms, but was in accordance with the regulations and laws.
"The facts to prove this an exceptional case in terms of it being an unbearable decision were not available."
A disappointed Hoffenheim director of football Alexander Rosen admitted the club had done all they could to get the replay.
"The verdict disappointed us, even if we had hints to that fact in advance", Rosen told his club website. "We have done everything … to deliver to the court the basis for a replay but that has not been sufficient.
"Let us now look into the reasons for the judgment and we will make a decision on that basis."
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