If an award was given out for “strangest soccer moment of the year” then we have a winner. On Sunday two penalty kicks were awarded for players picking up the ball with their hands during the 2. Bundesliga game between FC Magdeburg and SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
The madness began in the 13th minute when Fürth defender Gideon Jung thought his side had a goal kick. Jung’s goalkeeper rolled the ball to him and when he picked it up, he realized to his horror that it was an actual pass… not to take a goal kick.
Madgeburg would return the favor 25 mintues later when they hopped on the trend of picking up the ball in the penalty area. It seems the phenomenon is contagious.
This time around Daniel Heber was the guilty party as he thought a free kick had been awarded and picked up the ball in his box.
Bundesliga handball penalties
What the hell is this. pic.twitter.com/WSzkdnZn1u
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) October 7, 2024
Is this youth soccer or professional??
Scoring the second penalty kick was United States men’s national team midfielder Julian Green. He last appeared for the national team in 2018 and is playing his seventh season with Fürth.
Sunday’s match fittingly ended 2-2.
