Ref apologizes to beaten Dortmund

    By

    Updated 2306 GMT (0706 HKT) December 8, 2012

    Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels, left, and Mario Gotze confront referee Wolfgang Stark after Saturday's defeat.
    Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels, left, and Mario Gotze confront referee Wolfgang Stark after Saturday's defeat.

    Story highlights

    • Referee admits he was wrong to send off Borussia Dortmund player
    • Marcel Schmelzer was red-carded for handball in 3-2 defeat by Wolfsburg
    • Wolfsburg scored from penalty as champions fell 14 points behind Bayern Munich
    • Bayern went 11 points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen after Saturday's win
    Borussia Dortmund's German title defense suffered a big blow on Saturday with a controversial 3-2 home defeat by Wolfsburg.
    It left Jurgen Klopp's third-placed team, seeking a third successive Bundesliga crown, 14 points behind runaway leaders Bayern Munich.
    The match turned in the 35th minute when referee Wolfgang Stark ruled that Marcel Schmelzer handled the ball on the line, despite it appearing to hit him in the leg.
    Stark sent off the Dortmund defender and awarded a penalty that Diego converted to level the score at 1-1.
    "I've looked at it again later and unfortunately it was an error of perception on my part," Stark told reporters.
    "I'm sorry, that should not happen. The penalty and the red card were a mistake on my part. That's annoying."
    Dynamo Kiev's Ideye Brown fights for the ball with Dinamo Zagreb's Domagoj Vida in a game which was halted after 11 minutes following a snow storm in Croatia. The teams returned to the field after a 17 minute delay and played out a 1-1 draw
    Photos: Champions League action
    Dynamo Kiev's Ideye Brown fights for the ball with Dinamo Zagreb's Domagoj Vida in a game which was halted after 11 minutes following a snow storm in Croatia. The teams returned to the field after a 17 minute delay and played out a 1-1 draw
    Photos: Champions League action
    Let it snow – Dynamo Kiev's Ideye Brown fights for the ball with Dinamo Zagreb's Domagoj Vida in a game which was halted after 11 minutes following a snow storm in Croatia. The teams returned to the field after a 17 minute delay and played out a 1-1 draw
    Hide Caption
    1 of 11
    The snow in Zagreb was so bad that players were ordered to leave the pitch and wait in the changing rooms, while groundstaff helped to clear the pitch. Andriy Yarmolenko's 41st minute strike had given the visitors the lead but a 90th minute penalty by Ivan Krstanovi? secured a point for Dinamo.
    Photos: Champions League action
    It's snow joke – The snow in Zagreb was so bad that players were ordered to leave the pitch and wait in the changing rooms, while groundstaff helped to clear the pitch. Andriy Yarmolenko's 41st minute strike had given the visitors the lead but a 90th minute penalty by Ivan Krstanovi? secured a point for Dinamo.
    Hide Caption
    2 of 11
    Real Madrid's Kaka celebrates becoming the all-time leading Brazilian goalscorer in Champions League history after claiming his 28th strike in the competition to overtake Rivaldo.
    Photos: Champions League action
    Samba star – Real Madrid's Kaka celebrates becoming the all-time leading Brazilian goalscorer in Champions League history after claiming his 28th strike in the competition to overtake Rivaldo.
    Hide Caption
    3 of 11
    Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for Real Madrid against Ajax to register his 61st goal of 2012. Real eased to a 4-1 win thanks to a brace from Jose Callejon and a Kaka strike.
    Photos: Champions League action
    Rampant Ronaldo – Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for Real Madrid against Ajax to register his 61st goal of 2012. Real eased to a 4-1 win thanks to a brace from Jose Callejon and a Kaka strike.
    Hide Caption
    4 of 11
    Malaga became the first Spanish side in Champions League history to take the field with 10 non-Spanish players in its starting line-up. Uruguay's Sebastian Fernandez, who is from Uruguay, was a constant menace for the Anderlecht defenders in a game which finished 2-2.
    Photos: Champions League action
    Record breakers – Malaga became the first Spanish side in Champions League history to take the field with 10 non-Spanish players in its starting line-up. Uruguay's Sebastian Fernandez, who is from Uruguay, was a constant menace for the Anderlecht defenders in a game which finished 2-2.
    Hide Caption
    5 of 11
    Zenit captain Danny stunned AC Milan by firing his side into the Europa League with a 1-0 win at the San Siro. Milan had already qualified for the last-16 of the Champions League after finishing second to Malaga.
    Photos: Champions League action
    Danny boy – Zenit captain Danny stunned AC Milan by firing his side into the Europa League with a 1-0 win at the San Siro. Milan had already qualified for the last-16 of the Champions League after finishing second to Malaga.
    Hide Caption
    6 of 11
    Daniel Congre of Montpellier challenges Teemu Pukki of Schalke during the 1-1 draw in France. The point was enough for the German side to top Group B ahead of Arsenal, which was beaten by Olympiakos.
    Photos: Champions League action
    Schalke stand firm – Daniel Congre of Montpellier challenges Teemu Pukki of Schalke during the 1-1 draw in France. The point was enough for the German side to top Group B ahead of Arsenal, which was beaten by Olympiakos.
    Hide Caption
    7 of 11
    Carlos Tevez takes on Ilkay Guendogan of Borussia Dortmund during a frustrating night for Manchester City as it crashed out of European competition with a 1-0 defeat. City becomes the first English team to have failed to win a single group game in the compeititon.
    Photos: Champions League action
    Tevez torment – Carlos Tevez takes on Ilkay Guendogan of Borussia Dortmund during a frustrating night for Manchester City as it crashed out of European competition with a 1-0 defeat. City becomes the first English team to have failed to win a single group game in the compeititon.
    Hide Caption
    8 of 11
    Borussia Dortmund's Julian Schieber celebrates his winner against Manchester City as his team secures top spot in Group D. The Germans finished one point ahead of Real Madrid and will be relishing the knockout phase.
    Photos: Champions League action
    Deadly Dortmund – Borussia Dortmund's Julian Schieber celebrates his winner against Manchester City as his team secures top spot in Group D. The Germans finished one point ahead of Real Madrid and will be relishing the knockout phase.
    Hide Caption
    9 of 11
    Paris Saint-Germain star Thiago Silva played a key role in his side's 2-1 win over Porto. The Brazil defender fired his team ahead after 29 minutes before Jackson Martinez equalized for Porto. Ezequiel Lavezzi's 61st minute strike ensured victory for the French.
    Photos: Champions League action
    Silva lining – Paris Saint-Germain star Thiago Silva played a key role in his side's 2-1 win over Porto. The Brazil defender fired his team ahead after 29 minutes before Jackson Martinez equalized for Porto. Ezequiel Lavezzi's 61st minute strike ensured victory for the French.
    Hide Caption
    10 of 11
    Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh endured a disappointing night as the Gunners were beaten 2-1 by Olympiakos in Greece. Tomas Rosicky's effort had given Arsenal the lead but strikes from Giannis Maniatis and Kostas Mitroglou gave the Greek side victory.
    Photos: Champions League action
    Greek tragedy – Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh endured a disappointing night as the Gunners were beaten 2-1 by Olympiakos in Greece. Tomas Rosicky's effort had given Arsenal the lead but strikes from Giannis Maniatis and Kostas Mitroglou gave the Greek side victory.
    Hide Caption
    11 of 11
    The Schalke Fan Feld, whose centerpiece will be a club logo made up of blue and white flowers lying between two goals, looks directly on to the Bundesliga club's home stadium - the white domed Veltins-Arena, which can be seen in the gap between the trees in this picture.
    Photos: From the cradle to the grave
    The Schalke Fan Feld, whose centerpiece will be a club logo made up of blue and white flowers lying between two goals, looks directly on to the Bundesliga club's home stadium - the white domed Veltins-Arena, which can be seen in the gap between the trees in this picture.
    Photos: From the cradle to the grave
    Final resting place – The Schalke Fan Feld, whose centerpiece will be a club logo made up of blue and white flowers lying between two goals, looks directly on to the Bundesliga club's home stadium - the white domed Veltins-Arena, which can be seen in the gap between the trees in this picture.
    Hide Caption
    1 of 7
    Schalke fans are known as some of the most passionate in German football.
    Photos: From the cradle to the grave
    Fan fever – Schalke fans are known as some of the most passionate in German football.
    Hide Caption
    2 of 7
    The cemetery will only have space for 1,904 graves -- reflecting the year of Schalke's foundation -- and the club says there will not be another site when the entire allocation is taken up.
    Photos: From the cradle to the grave
    Once in a lifetime opportunity – The cemetery will only have space for 1,904 graves -- reflecting the year of Schalke's foundation -- and the club says there will not be another site when the entire allocation is taken up.
    Hide Caption
    3 of 7
    Schalke's on-field fortunes have improved in recent years to the point where they have brought in leading strikers Raul Gonzalez, who left the club earlier this year, and current Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
    Photos: From the cradle to the grave
    Striking success – Schalke's on-field fortunes have improved in recent years to the point where they have brought in leading strikers Raul Gonzalez, who left the club earlier this year, and current Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
    Hide Caption
    4 of 7
    The cemetery will be laid out in the shape of a stadium, with the miniature pitch located at the centre.
    Photos: From the cradle to the grave
    Life's a pitch – The cemetery will be laid out in the shape of a stadium, with the miniature pitch located at the centre.
    Hide Caption
    5 of 7
    The "pitch" will feature the Schalke logo, made up of blue and white flowers, with a goal at each end and benches in the middle of those.
    Photos: From the cradle to the grave
    'Schalke till I die' – The "pitch" will feature the Schalke logo, made up of blue and white flowers, with a goal at each end and benches in the middle of those.
    Hide Caption
    6 of 7
    Schalke's Veltins-Arena was built in the run-up to the 2006 World Cup and can hold over 65,000 fans.
    Photos: From the cradle to the grave
    Veltins-Arena – Schalke's Veltins-Arena was built in the run-up to the 2006 World Cup and can hold over 65,000 fans.
    Hide Caption
    7 of 7
    The "Footbonaut" -- is a robotic cage which footballers can use to improve passing, spatial awareness and control. The machine is being used by German champions Borussia Dortmund.
    Photos: Dortmund's training pays dividends
    The "Footbonaut" -- is a robotic cage which footballers can use to improve passing, spatial awareness and control. The machine is being used by German champions Borussia Dortmund.
    Photos: Dortmund's training pays dividends
    The final frontier? – The "Footbonaut" -- is a robotic cage which footballers can use to improve passing, spatial awareness and control. The machine is being used by German champions Borussia Dortmund.
    Hide Caption
    1 of 5
    Once inside the "Footbonaut", a player is fed balls by eight different machines and then has deliver the ball to one of the 72 panels - - which is indciated by a flashing green light -- that make up the space-age contraption before they receive another ball. This picture shows Dortmund's German star Mario Gotze testing himself against the machine.
    Photos: Dortmund's training pays dividends
    A giant leap for soccer training? – Once inside the "Footbonaut", a player is fed balls by eight different machines and then has deliver the ball to one of the 72 panels - - which is indciated by a flashing green light -- that make up the space-age contraption before they receive another ball. This picture shows Dortmund's German star Mario Gotze testing himself against the machine.
    Hide Caption
    2 of 5
    German coach Jurgen Klopp has overseen Dortmund's recent domination of German football. Dortmund have won the Bundesliga in each of the last two seasons, winning plaudits for the adventurous style of play. Klopp's team also currently sit top of a European Champions League group containing Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax.
    Photos: Dortmund's training pays dividends
    High-klass Klopp – German coach Jurgen Klopp has overseen Dortmund's recent domination of German football. Dortmund have won the Bundesliga in each of the last two seasons, winning plaudits for the adventurous style of play. Klopp's team also currently sit top of a European Champions League group containing Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax.
    Hide Caption
    3 of 5
    Dortmund's rise to prominence has forced their attractive young squad into the limelight. None more so than Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who was strongly linked with a move to Manchester United earlier this year.
    Photos: Dortmund's training pays dividends
    Polish power – Dortmund's rise to prominence has forced their attractive young squad into the limelight. None more so than Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who was strongly linked with a move to Manchester United earlier this year.
    Hide Caption
    4 of 5
    One player who did swap Dortmund for Manchester was Shinji Kagawa. The Japanese playmaker had made a promising start to his Old Trafford career before being sidelined with a knee injury last month. Another player developed by Dortmund was Nuri Sahin, the Turkish midfielder who signed for Real Madrid in 2011 before joining Liverpool on a season-long loan deal in August.
    Photos: Dortmund's training pays dividends
    Borussia's best – One player who did swap Dortmund for Manchester was Shinji Kagawa. The Japanese playmaker had made a promising start to his Old Trafford career before being sidelined with a knee injury last month. Another player developed by Dortmund was Nuri Sahin, the Turkish midfielder who signed for Real Madrid in 2011 before joining Liverpool on a season-long loan deal in August.
    Hide Caption
    5 of 5
    Klopp was left to rue the consequences, as struggling Wolfsburg went on to win with goals from Naldo and Bas Dost -- whose shot had earlier hit Schmelzer.
    "We were 1-0 ahead and Wolfsburg had no chance and then comes the game-winning move. It was a brutal decision," Klopp told reporters.
    Bayern won 2-0 at Augsburg to move 11 points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who travel to Hanover on Sunday.
    Thomas Muller opened the scoring six minutes before halftime with a penalty, his eighth goal in the league this season, after Gibril Sankoh handled Toni Kroos' pass.
    Substitute Mario Gomez continued his comeback from longterm injury with the second soon after his introduction on the hour mark. The Germany striker followed up his midweek goal in the Champions League win over BATE Borisov for his third strike since starting his season late last month.
    Eintracht Frankfurt joined Dortmund on 27 points from 16 matches with a 4-1 win over Werder Bremen, while Schalke dropped to fifth after losing 3-1 at Stuttgart.
    Vedad Ibisevic scored a hat-trick as Stuttgart joined Schalke on 25 points, taking the Bosnia striker's tally to 13 goals in all competitions this season.
    Freiburg moved up to eighth with a 1-0 win over bottom club Furth, while Nuremberg stayed above Wolfsburg on goal difference after beating fellow strugglers Fortuna Dusseldorf 2-0
    Hamburg ended the day seventh, having won 2-0 at home to Hoffenheim on Friday.