Kenyan talent Linton Maina impresses in FC Koln's eventful clash that forces fan to become fourth official

STARS ABROAD Kenyan talent Linton Maina impresses in FC Koln's eventful clash that forces fan to become fourth official

Mark Kinyanjui 08:00 - 28.01.2024

Maina came on as a substitute for Koln during the Bundesliga clash that forced a fan to step up as an official after the assistant referee suffered an injury.

Harambee Stars prospect Linton Maina came on as a substitute for FC Köln during their 1-1 draw in a match that was overshadowed by an unfortunate injury suffered by an assistant referee.

The game had to be stopped in the 14th minute when Maina’s teammate 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.

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.

It is not the first time this month that a fan has been asked to step up as a fourth official.

Last week, a fan in England took over as the fourth official in extra time of an FA Cup game between Wolverhampton and Brentford. He wasn’t allowed to celebrate his team’s winning goal.

Meanwhile, Maina himself had to come on in the 63rd minute after being dropped for the match and did well.

He tried scoring and creating as he produced a combined expected goals and assist ratio of 0.32, and looked impressive with his work off the ball as he won two of his three attempted ground duels.

Faride Aldou scored first for the visitors, before Kevin Paredes equalised for Wolfsburg just before the break.

The result means FC Köln are just one place above the automatic relegation zoes on  12 points while Wolfsburg are 11th on 22.

Maina has registered one goal and one assist this season, which is nowhere as good as his brilliant form from last season where he scored three and registered seven assists.

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