During the match between 1. FC Köln and Borussia Dortmund (1-2), Trippel questioned referee Daniel Siebert's decisions over the stadium loudspeakers. "Shameful, disgusting," the 71-year-old said loudly when Siebert sent off FC Cologne's defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey after VAR intervention.
Shortly before the end, Dortmund defender Yan Couto touched the ball with his arm—but despite strong protests from the Cologne-players, there was no VAR review. This prompted Trippel to make a further comment on the referee's performance, saying: "I’ll get in trouble, but I’ll say it: In stoppage time, there was a clear handball by a Dortmund player, and nobody even bothered to check it."
Match Center: 1. FC Köln vs. Borussia Dortmund
DFB comments on Couto incident
Trippel’s remarks also drew sharp criticism from within his own club. "I don’t like that," said sporting director Thomas Kessler, announcing that he would take it up with Trippel, which was applauded by the German FA.
The German federation also addressed the controversial incident at the end with Yan Couto, stating that a VAR intervention would have been appropriate. "Although Yan Couto’s view of the ball was limited because Cologne’s Bülter, positioned right in front of him, jumped and narrowly missed the ball, the ball was still predictable for the Dortmund player due to the distance, especially since its direction didn’t change. Furthermore, Yan Couto’s arm was away from his body. For these reasons, we believe there was enough to consider the handball punishable, and a VAR intervention would have been appropriate," the statement read.