Augsburg's Michael Gregoritsch (l.) didn't want to see Hamburg's Fábio Vieira (r.) wrongly penalised on Matchday 28. - © DFL/Getty Images/Oliver Hardt

bundesliga

Fair play at its finest: Augsburg's Michael Gregoritsch tells referee not to award foul

05.04.2026

In an admirable act of sportsmanship, Augsburg's Michael Gregoritsch convinced match referee Deniz Aytekin to overturn his decision to award a free-kick against Hamburg's Fábio Vieira on Bundesliga Matchday 28.

With the game delicately poised heading into the half-time break, Gregoritsch was awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Hamburg box for an alleged infringement by Vieira.

But then, something rather unexpected happened. Instead of taking the set-piece in what was a very dangerous position, the former Hamburg striker turned to referee Deniz Aytekin and informed him that it wasn't a foul.

Watch: Referee reverses decision after Gregoritsch's sportsmanship

As the clip above shows, it was actually former HSV man Gregoritsch who initiated the contact with Viera, rather than the other way around. After the incident, the 31-year-old graciously revealed to the referee what actually happened.

"I landed on him, and the referee blew his whistle for a foul," Gregoritsch explained in his post-match interview. "He comes to me and says, 'Did you land on his foot?', and I said, 'Yeah, I landed on his foot, and I slipped'. Then he [the referee] said, 'Okay, then it's no foul.'"

Watch: Gregoritsch explains fair play moment

After the match, referee Aytekin added: "I simply want what's fair and honest. Lots of people say there's no respect, fairness or humanity in football. But [what Gregoritsch did] was a prime example of mutual appreciation, of respect and fairness."

Watch: Deniz Aytekin on Gregoritsch decision

Despite heading into the half-time break with a narrow 1-0 lead, Gregoritsch's Augsburg had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer equalised for Hamburg - who had Miro Muheim sent off soon after - meaning the sides remain separated by just a point in mid-table, but on course for another season of Bundesliga football.