Stunning scenes as referee postpones play by walking off the pitch

Official Felix Zwayer took the decision to lead both teams off the field after Schmidt refused to leave his technical area following the 64th-minute incident.

After Dortmund scored in the 64th minute, Zwayer had a heated exchange with Leverkusen captain Stefan Kiessling and Schmidt, as well as other Leverkusen players, who were unhappy with the way the goal was scored.

“I was too stubborn, I reacted emotionally”.

“It was maybe a bit stubborn of me, but when the referee wants to send a coach to the stands, it’s not really very helpful”, he said.

After play restarted, Zwayer waved away Leverkusen’s protests at a possible penalty for handball, and Voller is convinced that was a response to Schmidt’s stubbornness. The pitch was left vacant for several minutes – until players and officials came back on.

However Leverkusen’s Schade has insisted that the Bundesliga club are not ready to part with Hernandez anytime soon and stated that only a ridiculous offer will see the 27-year-old leave the BayArena.

“To interrupt a game like that and to make things so hectic is completely unnecessary”, Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voeller said.

Aubameyang missed the first half’s biggest chance when he fired wide after he was set up by Christian Pulisic before the break.

Schalke were held to a 1-1 draw by Stuttgart at Veltins-Arena.