The match between Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund came to an extraordinary halt on Sunday after Roger Schmidt, the Leverkusen manager, refused to be sent off.

The Bundesliga game was suspended after 65 minutes after protests when Dortmund took the lead at the BayArena.

After waving away calls for a foul on Stefan Kiessling, the visitors broke and took the lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Dortmund's goal infuriated Leverkusen and Schmidt was ordered to leave the dugout. He refused and in response the referee, Felix Zwayer, took the players off the pitch.

Leverkusen’s official Twitter account posted: “The match is paused at the 65th minute after Roger Schmidt refuses to be sent off the pitch and the referees leave instead.”

Dortmund were clearly perplexed by the decision judging by their Twitter post of “??? b04bvb 0-1” and both sets of players returned to the dressing room.

After talks, the teams came out without Schmidt and the match resumed around eight minutes after the impromptu break started.