Bochum have successfully appealed against the outcome of their 1-1 draw at Union Berlin. - © IMAGO/Matthias Koch

bundesliga

DFB rules in favour of Bochum win following match-interrupted draw at Union Berlin

09.01.2025

The DFB (German Football Association) has awarded Bochum three points following the club's appeal against a match-interrupted draw at Union Berlin on Matchday 14.

Bochum officially lodged an appeal against the result of their 1-1 draw at Union on 14 December 2024 after goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was hit by a lighter thrown from the crowd, leading to a lengthy delay in proceedings. Both sets of players walked off the pitch before emerging minutes later.

However, Drewes did not return for the remainder, forcing Bochum to put striker Philipp Hofmann in goal as they had already used up all of their allotted substitutions. Both teams then decided not to attack as the game ended one apiece. However, the result has now been awarded as a 2-0 victory for Bochum.

Watch: Highlights from the game in December

Stephan Oberholz, chairman of the DFB sports tribunal, said of the decision: "As a result of the hearing, we have to assume that Bochum goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was injured by a lighter being thrown at his head, thereby restricting his ability to play. This weakened the Bochum team, and was triggered by a Berlin spectator, which is, therefore, attributable to Union Berlin, according to the DFB's legal and procedural regulations.

"If a player is injured by a lighter thrown from the crowd and subsequently unable to continue the match, this constitutes a criminal offence and a serious breach of the legal system of football, which would always justify abandoning the match. Such offences must have a clear legal consequence in terms of the technical aspects of the game. This can only be a match ruling in favour of the impaired club. The result cannot be decided by a 'non-aggression pact' between the clubs involved. Such agreements contradict the basic principles of sporting competition."

Union, who were nine points above second-bottom Bochum prior to the DFB's ruling, have one week to appeal the decision. The club's managing director for communications, Christian Arbeit, stated shortly after the ruling: "We will decide on how to proceed once we have received the written reasons for the judgement."

While the final result has changed as a result of the ruling, all match statistics - including goals, assists and Bochum midfielder's Koji Miyoshi sending off - will stand.