In a dramatic turn of events during Germany's Euro 2025 qualifier against Austria, midfielder Lena Lattwein was shown a straight red card for an astonishing hair-pulling incident that left fans and pundits stunned.
The controversial moment occurred in the 72nd minute with Germany leading 3-1, when Lattwein appeared to grab and yank the hair of Austrian midfielder Sarah Puntigam during a midfield tussle. The referee immediately brandished the red card, reducing Germany to 10 players for the remainder of the match.
Match Officials Under Scrutiny
VAR reviewed the incident but upheld the referee's decision, sparking heated debates about consistency in officiating. Former England international Fara Williams commented: "While it's clearly unacceptable, we've seen similar incidents only punished with yellows. There needs to be more clarity in these situations."
Germany Hold On Despite Setback
Despite being a player down, Germany managed to maintain their lead, with goalkeeper Merle Frohms making several crucial saves to secure the 3-1 victory. The win keeps Germany top of their qualifying group with maximum points from four matches.
Post-Match Fallout
German coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg refused to criticise Lattwein directly but admitted: "We need to keep our composure in these high-pressure situations. These moments can cost us in bigger games." Meanwhile, Austrian players expressed frustration at what they saw as dangerous play.
The incident has dominated post-match discussions, overshadowing what was otherwise an impressive performance from the German side. Lattwein now faces an automatic one-match ban but could see this extended if UEFA deems the offence particularly serious.
