Spectator becomes match official after assistant referee gets injured

A spectator at a Bundesliga game was recruited to step in as the fourth official Saturday after the assistant referee was injured.

The game between Wolfsburg and Cologne was stopped in the 14th minute when Cologne player Max Finkgräfe hit a powerful clearance straight into the face of assistant referee Thorben Siewer, who was on the sideline nearby.

Siewer seemed dazed and was helped off the field. He was replaced on the sideline by fourth official Nicolas Winter.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

Following an appeal to the crowd for any spectators who are qualified referees, 32-year-old Tobias Krull took over the fourth official role as emergency backup.

Krull is a goalkeeper for local sixth-division club MTV Gifhorn. He changed into a black tracksuit to join the officiating crew.

• Liverpool's title-winning manager Klopp to leave at end of the season