A FAN had to step in from the stands and referee the Bundesliga clash between Wolfsburg and Cologne after a linesman got injured.
Official Thorben Siewer fell victim to a miskick as the ball hit him so hard in the head he went down and required medical attention.
Cologne ace Max Finkgrafe tried to clear the ball during a Wolfsburg attack and accidentally hit the ref who was standing behind the line.
Physio staff from both teams immediately tended to Siewer who thankfully got back up to his feet.
Unfortunately, however, the 36-year-old couldn’t carry on with the match and underwent further checks after being taken to the tunnel.
Fourth official Nicolas Winter replaced his colleague but there was no one else to fill in for the former.
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Therefore, hosts Wolfsburg issued an announcement at the Volkswagen Arena asking for any potential certified referees within the crowd.
Thankfully, there was someone with the necessary badges who could carry out those duties and the match continued soon after.
Tobias Krull, a goalkeeper of German sixth-tier club MTV Gifhorn, stepped away from the crowd and filled in as the fourth official.
Krull stood between the two Bundesliga managers’ bench during a 1-1 draw.
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A similar incident took place only last week in the FA Cup third-round replay between Wolves and Brentford.
Qualified referee Ross Bennett, who officiates at grassroots Under-12 games, gave up his seat at Molineux after assistant ref Harry Lennard felt unwell and fourth official Gavin Ward stepped in to run the line.
Bennett then replaced Ward and had to contain his jubilation after Wolves star Matheus Cunha’s extra-time penalty winner.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
