A short whistle, big discussions: The handball penalty in the cup semi-final between Leipzig and Wolfsburg caused astonishment for both teams.

Marius Müller would have gone all-in on the penalty scene that ultimately led to the team's exit from the DFB Cup. The VfL Wolfsburg goalkeeper would have bet "house, home and kids" that referee Tobias Reichel would not award a penalty. But that's exactly what the referee did - and in doing so sparked a lively debate. "I mean, what should Kili do: should he cut off his arm or what?" asked Müller.

Even the Leipzig players showed understanding for Wolfsburg's anger. "I went up to a few Wolfsburg players during the game and said sorry, at the moment handball penalties like this are being called. I'm a full-back myself and I know how disgusting it is when you want to block a cross," said RB Leipzig's national player David Raum. His team-mate Benjamin Sesko converted the penalty and shot the Saxons into the semi-finals with a 1-0 win.

Sesko was in the front row in the situation that led to the penalty. A cross from the Slovenian hit the arm of Wolfsburg's Kilian Fischer from close range. "To be honest, I was a little surprised," said Sesko when the penalty was awarded. "But everything happens so quickly, you can't really see it."

Referee Reichel apparently had a good view of the scene and argued that Fischer could have handled the situation differently. "He had a clear view of the ball. The distance was short, but he also tried to get in the way with two strides, and the ball was expected. When the ball hit his arm, it was under tension," said the 39-year-old.

Video referee Pascal Müller reviewed the scene but did not ask Reichel to watch it again. "He could not refute the parameters mentioned with the images. That was how I perceived it on the field, which is why I decided that way," said Reichel.

Wolfsburg coach Ralph Hasenhüttl didn't understand at all why Reichel didn't look at the pictures again. "That's what we have the thing for. I don't think it was a clear handball at all," said the Austrian. There have been many similar situations in which we haven't been awarded a penalty.