RB Leipzig have offered VfL Osnabrück a rematch after the DFB-Pokal first round tie between the two clubs on Monday evening was abandoned.

Referee struck by object

In the 71st minute, with the hosts leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Halil Savran after just 30 seconds, a on-field dispute broke out between Leipzig's Davie Selke and Osnabrück substitute Michael Hohnstedt, who had been warming up behind the visitors' goal.

When referee Martin Petersen (30, from Stuttgart) approached the pair to calm the situation, which was developing close to the Osnabrück fans, he was struck on the head by a red lighter thrown from the stands. Petersen initially took the players off the pitch, before deciding to abandon the game.

"Our club stands for fair play"

The case is now set to be placed before a tribunal who are likely to decide the tie 2-0 in Leipzig's favour, despite the second division outfit trailing at the time of the incident. Ralf Ragnick however, the coach and sporting director of the Red Bull franchise, has offered Osnabrück a rematch, saying in a statement on the club's website that:

“Our club stands for fairness, fair play, family friendliness, social engagement, sporting competition and mutual respect.”

In the statement, the club from Saxony also revealed that their players and coaching staff had been subjected to a bombardment of objects throughout the whole game, not just from a couple of individuals but from large sections of the home support.

“Lighters, plastic cups and other objects were thrown at our players and our substitutes who were warming up throughout the entire game.”

Osnabrück director Lothar Gans blamed “one out of 13,000” fans in the ground, but nevertheless condemned the incident as a “disaster” for his club which “cannot be excused”.

DFB to decide

Whether the DFB agree to Red Bull's offer or not remains to be seen. Technically speaking, a rematch is only possible in a scenario where neither club can be blamed for the abandonment of the original game, which wouldn't appear to be the case here.

But given that the DFB will make its decision on Thursday, it is possible that the draw for the second round of the competition, due to take place on Friday night, could be postponed.

It is not the first time that Red Bull players and officials have been subjected to abuse from the stands during away matches. The club, founded in 2008 by the Austrian energy drink firm as an addition to its sporting portfolio and planted into the city in Leipzig, is deeply unpopular among German football fans.

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