Mark van Bommel’s side clashed with the fourth-tier SC Preußen Münster in the first round of the competition. Given the gulf in quality between the two teams, Die Wolfe started the match as the outright favourites.
However, the game was not a cakewalk as some of Wolfsburg’s fans might have expected it to be. The first goal of the match came in the 74th minute by Munster’s midfielder Marcel Hoffmeier.
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The Regionalliga West outfit were heading towards a shock victory when Wolfsburg winger Josip Brekalo scored the equalizer in the 90th minute of the match. Dutch striker Wout Weghorst gave the Wolves the all-important lead in the first half of extra time.
Youngster Ridle Baku put the last nail on Munster’s coffin as he scored the Wolves’ third goal in the 121st minute of the match. However, none of that matters now as Wolfsburg have been disqualified for making six substitutions.
Former Netherlands international van Bommel made his first substitution at half-time when he introduced Josip Brekalo for Renato Steffen. Fifteen minutes later, he made a double switch by introducing Kevin Mbabu and Maximilian Arnold.
In the 98th minute, the ex-Barcelona midfielder made his fourth substitution by introducing Yannick Gerhardt. In what was a shock move in the 102nd minute, the Dutch manager made yet another double switch by replacing Maximilian Philipp and Maxence Lacroix with Admir Mehmedi and Sebastian Bornauw.
“The clubs themselves are responsible for substitutions. One of their basic duties is to find out about substitution options and to act accordingly. VfL Wolfsburg violated this obligation and thus carelessly and avoidably committed the central mistake in the illegal sixth substitution process,”
DfB Sports Court’s deputy chairman Stephen Oberholz said, as per quotes in Kicker.
Wolfsburg, however, have made it clear that they are discontent with the decision and will challenge this in a legal procedure.
“We are disappointed and would have preferred a different outcome to the negotiation. We do not agree with the result and will now examine legal remedies,”
Dr. Tim Schumacher, Wolfsburg’s managing director said.
