Everybody saw what happened on 23 April 1994. Almost everybody, that is. FC Bayern took on FC Nürnberg at Munich's Olympic Stadium on Matchday 32. The match was crucial for both sides, with Bayern in the race for the championship title and the visitors in the relegation battle. After 25 minutes Thomas Helmer tried to poke the ball across the line. Helmer dragged the ball wide, but linesman Jörg Jablonski convinced referee Hans-Joachim Osmers to award the goal.
The videos clearly showed the decision was wrong. The Bundesliga's first ghost goal was scored exactly 25 years ago, and people still ask Helmer today. "I sometimes think I'm reduced to that one goal," he said in an interview. Bayern went on to win 2-1, Helmer scoring another goal. Nürnberg handed in a complaint, so the fixture was rearranged, FCB winning 5-0 ten days later.
Coincidentally, Bayern take on Nürnberg on Sunday, only a few days after the 25th anniversary. Helmer will surely think of his most famous "goal" when watching the match. After all, "it is part of my career."
In the ‘Looking Back’ series, fcbayern.com presents regular snapshots from the photo archives for fans to enjoy.
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