Werder Bremen’s Aaron Hunt turns down incorrect penalty during match with Nuremberg

NUREMBERG, Germany, March 10 (UPI) -- During Werder Bremen’s 2-0 win over Nuremberg on Saturday, Aaron Hunt did the opposite of what many soccer players do and actually talked the referee out of awarding him a penalty kick in his favor.

While he was in the penalty area, Hunt appeared to be tripped by Javier Pinola. As it turns out, the Bremen winger simply tripped himself up on the turf.

Instead of taking the erroneous penalty, Hunt came clean to the referee about what had really happened and the call was reversed. “There was applause all round as the referee again revised his decision,” according to a game recap on Bundesliga.com.

In the same match, Nuremberg's Hiroshi Kiyotake informed the referee he had touched the ball last before it went out of bounds and cost his team a corner kick.

“This is real sportsmanship! Aaron Hunt admits that he in fact shouldn't be awarded a penalty in Bremen's six-pointer with Nuremberg,” according to a posting with the video about Hunt and Kiyotake’s fair play. “Hiroshi Kiyotake also proves to be a firm believer in fair play. Two great role models show that fair play is important, even in the relegation battle. A big 'thumbs up' from us, Aaron and Hiroshi!”

[Bundesliga.com]