Rule disregarded: Ball boy causes frustration in Leipzig

Leipzig coach Ole Werner has criticized the behavior of a ball boy during the game in Leverkusen / Photo: Fabian Strauch/dpa

A ball boy causes Leipzig's defeat in Leverkusen. RB coach Werner wants a uniform implementation of the rules. This is not mandatory - in Berlin, a youngster resolutely adheres to it.

After the 4-1 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig coach Ole Werner criticized the undesirable speed of action of a ball boy in front of the Werkself's opening goal this season and called for uniform application in the future. "Basically, I'm a big fan of having a rule. If the rule is not enforced, it must be punished in some way. Otherwise it makes little sense," said Werner.

What happened? During a Leipzig attack, Nicolas Seiwald headed the ball past the Leverkusen goal. A ball boy immediately threw another ball to Bayer goalkeeper Mark Flekken, which the Dutchman used to initiate a quick counter-attack that led to Bayer taking the lead through Patrik Schick.

Though the action was not decisive for the outcome of the one-sided match, it "gave the game a direction", criticized Werner, adding: "We talked about consistency at the coaches' meeting six months ago. That's desirable for the future."

Rule is not mandatory

The German Football League recommended to clubs before this season that ball boys no longer throw the ball to the players, but place it on a marked spot. However, as this is not an official FIFA rule, its implementation is not mandatory.

A Berlin ball boy demonstrated his knowledge of the rules during the match between 1. FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Köln (2:2). The youngster stubbornly held on to the ball that Union professional Josip Juranovic wanted for a quick throw-in. The professional, baffled by the situation, had to take another ball from a plastic cone. In contrast to the situation in Leverkusen, the action had no influence on the outcome of the game.

Unlike Leipzig, the Leverkusen winners were able to laugh about the scene in the 25th minute after the final whistle. "We've seen that in other leagues and wanted to be part of it," said attacking player Ibrahim Maza. And sporting director Simon Rolfes flashed a grin: "We all like a high net playing time."

Rule disregarded: Ball boy causes frustration in Leipzig

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Rule is not mandatory

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