THW Kiel goalkeeper Andreas Wolff has been sanctioned by the HBL after accusing referees of lacking quality and trying to take points away from his team, according to Sport Bild.
The German international must pay €2,500 following his public criticism of referees Julian Köppl and Denis Regner after Kiel’s dramatic 31–31 draw against SG Flensburg-Handewitt on 26 September.
According to Sport Bild, the Handball-Bundesliga (HBL) imposed the fine for what it classified as a “public insult of the referees”. The league’s sanctions catalogue allows for penalties of up to €5,000 for such offences.
Wolff was furious after the officials overturned Julian Köster’s apparent last-second winner following a video review, denying Kiel victory in the fierce northern derby.
Speaking to Kieler Nachrichten after the match, Wolff questioned the officials’ competence and accused them of arrogance. He also claimed that the same referees had previously given Kiel reason for concern in a match against Göppingen.
According to Sport Bild, Wolff subsequently submitted a written statement to the HBL, explaining his comments and acknowledging that he had gone too far in some respects.
The HBL sanction had not been publicly announced before Sport Bild reported the fine.