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Agency Report
Dusseldorf – Borussia Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin has urged fans to be fair towards referee Sascha Stegemann in Friday’s Bundesliga match against champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Stegemann received death threats after he denied Dortmund a penalty in April 2023 in a 1-1 draw at Bochum. He apologised the day after the match and was under police protection for four weeks as a result of the threats.
The draw cost Dortmund two vital points in the title race. They eventually lost out against Bayern Munich when they failed to beat Mainz on the final matchday.
Stegemann was not assigned Dortmund matches since then, and Sahin on Wednesday called for fair treatment when he returns to officiating them on Friday.
“Nobody in this world deserves death threats, no matter what has happened,” Sahin said.
“Of course the decision was a disaster for us as Borussia Dortmund, but you can’t wish a person dead.
“I’m sure he’ll be a neutral referee who tries to do his best. He doesn’t have to make up for anything now, he just has to referee the game neutrally.”
