Racing verdict handed down by the court at Cosmos for the Derby event
In the thrilling Koblenz city derby that took place on the third matchday of the 2025/2026 season, FC Cosmos emerged victorious with a 2:1 scoreline, but not without controversy. Rot-Weiss, the visiting team, suffered a defeat and have since lodged a protest against the scoring of the match due to FC Cosmos making an extra player substitution during the game.
The match, held at the Oberwerth stadium in Koblenz and attended by 470 spectators, saw FC Cosmos make five player substitutions. However, instead of the permitted three opportunities plus the halftime break, they made these substitutions on four occasions. Each team in championship matches for men's and women's teams, as well as youth regional leagues, may substitute five players during the entire game.
Orhan Lokurlu, the sporting director of FC Cosmos, explained the decision to hire a well-known lawyer, Christoph Schickhardt, to handle their case by saying, "We are not lawyers." Schickhardt is a prominent figure in football circles.
Both clubs have until Monday, September 22, to submit further statements on the case to the FRV (Southwest Football Regional Association). The disciplinary committee, chaired by Dr. Thomas Becker, will rule on the protest on Monday, September 29. The ruling will be made in writing without an oral hearing, under the chairmanship of Heinz Müller from Spiesen/Saarland.
Rot-Weiss expects to be awarded the three points at the green table due to FC Cosmos's extra substitution. If the ruling goes in their favour, this would mean a reversal of the result, giving Rot-Weiss a 2:1 victory instead.
Player substitution is only permitted during a game break and cannot be reversed. The game regulations specify both the number of possible player substitutions and the opportunities for making these substitutions. Each club has a total of three opportunities, plus the halftime break, for player substitutions during a game.
The first substitution was made by FC Cosmos in the 59th minute, and they did not use the opportunity to make a substitution during halftime. The Koblenz city derby between FC Rot-Weiss and FC Cosmos was a heated affair, and the outcome of this disciplinary hearing will have significant implications for both clubs.
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