Death Threats Put German Referee Under Police Protection

A German referee has revealed that he was placed under police protection for several weeks after receiving death threats following a controversial decision during the 2023 Bundesliga title race.

Referee Sascha Stegemann denied Borussia Dortmund a penalty during their 1-1 draw with Bochum in April 2023, a decision that proved crucial as Dortmund dropped two points and ultimately lost the title to Bayern Munich on the final matchday.

Stegemann apologized the day after the match for the error, which wasn’t reviewed by VAR, and acknowledged receiving death threats.

The German newspaper “General-Anzeiger” reported on Wednesday that Stegemann provided further details at an event in Cologne.

According to the report, Stegemann realized after the match that he had made the wrong decision and that it could influence the title race.

He revealed that two police officers visited his home the day after the match and informed him about the death threats against him and his family. He was then given police protection for four weeks.

Stegemann also mentioned that his wife encouraged him to continue his refereeing career despite the incident.