Stegemann under police protection: Referee evades murder threats!

referee Sascha Stegemann will whistle a game from Borussia Dortmund on Friday evening. The top duel against Bayer Leverkusen is scheduled for 8.30 p.m. Stegemann last led a game with BVB participation in April 2023. In this game, which ended with a 1-1 win against VfL Bochum, there was a controversial penalty whistle that was not given. This whistle was later recognized by both, Stegemann himself and the association, as a mistake. Despite the review of the scene by the video assistant, there was no intervention.

After the game, Stegemann received threats of murder and faced migars from the fan scene. At that time, Borussia Dortmund was in the title fight with FC Bayern Munich, and the draw led to Bavaria took over the lead. Ultimately, Bavaria won the 11th Bundesliga title in a row at the end of the season, tied with Dortmund.

police protection after threats of murder

After the controversial penalty whistle, Sascha Stegemann was under police protection for four weeks. The error concerned the game between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Bochum on April 29, 2023, in which a legitimate penalty for Dortmund was not met. Due to the 1-1, Dortmund lost two points in the championship duel against FC Bayern Munich, who finally won the championship on the last match day.

Stegemann commented on his mistake and made the threats of murder public. In the Cologne Sports University, he reported on the reactions after the game, including a disturbing message from his wife, who warned him: "Oh my god, they tear you up." Stegemann was certain of his decision during the game, but after the final whistle he came to him due to the reactions of the Dortmund doubts.

Stegemann became aware that his decision might have influenced the German championship. He could no longer remember the first 30 kilometers of his return trip and canceled a planned trip with his son to give interviews. In the evening after the game, two police officers rang his door and reported on concrete threats to murder against him and his family. The following day he was accompanied to a television appearance in Munich and received police protection for four weeks. His wife supported him in continuing to work as a referee. Stegemann admitted that he might have lost his passion for his office after the DFB Cup final in 2022 and emphasized the need for humility in referee.