Elversberg boss Vincent Wagner cleared to face Bayern Munich after referee admits error

Vincent Wagner will be in the dugout when Elversberg host Bayern Munich on Sunday, after the German Football Association’s sports court overturned his suspension.

The 40-year-old coach was sent off during Elversberg’s 4-3 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in the second round of the Bundesliga. The club initially appealed against the punishment, but its first challenge was rejected before a second appeal changed the outcome.

The sports court, chaired by Stephan Oberholz, overturned the earlier decision during an oral hearing, allowing Wagner to lead Elversberg from the touchline against Bayern.

“The red card issued to Vincent Wagner is cancelled and the automatic suspension is lifted,” Oberholz said. He described the ruling as an “absolute exception”, explaining that it was possible only because the referee acknowledged he had made a mistake.

Referee Martin Petersen, who took part in the hearing by video link, accepted that his decision had been wrong.

“Looking back, I felt that my reaction was inappropriate. I would not make this decision again. Perhaps I was too sensitive and misinterpreted the situation,” he said.

Wagner welcomed the decision, telling German newspaper Bild: “I am pleased that justice has been done.”

Elversberg, who were promoted to the Bundesliga this season, welcome Bayern after making a perfect start to life in the top flight. They opened their campaign with a 3-2 win against Bayer Leverkusen before beating Borussia Monchengladbach 4-3.

Wagner received a second yellow card and then a red during the first half of the match against Monchengladbach, when Elversberg were trailing 2-1.

The incident followed Monchengladbach’s second goal, which came after what was described as a clear officiating error during a throw-in. Tim Kleindienst took the restart quickly, allowing the attacking move to develop into a goal.

Wagner was booked after standing about one metre inside the pitch. At the end of the first half, he was shown a second yellow card and sent off after calmly walking towards the officials.

Petersen initially judged that the coach’s actions had gone beyond what was acceptable. However, after reconsidering the incident, he accepted that the dismissal should not stand, leading the sports court to cancel both the red card and the resulting automatic ban.