Arminia Bielefeld Goalkeeper Facing Scrutiny Over Questionable Injury in German Third Division

On Wednesday, the German Football Association (DFB) initiated an investigation regarding an alleged injury to Jonas Kersken, the goalkeeper for German Cup finalists and third-tier club Arminia Bielefeld. This incident occurred during last week’s 2-0 victory over Viktoria Cologne.

Kersken fell to the ground, seemingly without any adversarial contact, in the 69th minute of the match on Sunday and required medical attention. During this time, Arminia’s coach Mitch Kniat seized the moment to engage with his players.

After the match, Viktoria Cologne’s coach Olaf Janssen, who received a red card for disputing Kersken’s injury, commented that the goalkeeper was not actually injured and instead claimed that it was a tactic used to allow Kniat an opportunity to strategise with the team. Janssen described the move as ‘unsportsmanlike’.

Kniat, whose squad is set to compete against VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on May 24th, remarked at a press conference that Kersken’s actions were within a “grey zone” of the regulations, suggesting he was merely exploiting a loophole.

“Throughout my time as a coach, I have often heard two words from referees: grey zones. We can use these grey zones to our advantage as well,” Kniat stated.

In response, the DFB has reached out to Kniat for clarification regarding the incident, according to a spokesperson for the association speaking to German media.

Per the regulations, goalkeepers are treated for injuries on the field, unlike outfield players, who must be treated on the sidelines to ensure the game continues without interruption.