VfL Bochum’s game against Borussia Mönchengladbach was stopped in the second half last Friday evening when the visitors were 2-0 after assistant referee Christian Gittelmann was hit by a drinking cup.
The investigations initiated resulted in a suspicion of a 38-year-old from Bochum, said the public prosecutor’s office in Bochum and the local police headquarters in a joint statement on Monday (March 21, 2022). The suspect did not get involved in the course of the interrogation. Further investigations continue.
Against Leverkusen alcohol ban?
In addition, VfL Bochum is considering a ban on alcohol in the stands. This measure is being discussed, said Ilja Kaenzig, spokesman for the management of VfL Bochum, in the “Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung” on Monday. The alcohol ban could take effect in the next home game against Bayer Leverkusen.
No fences planned
Kaenzig, on the other hand, rejected safety fences: “We stand for a community experience for the fans in the stadium. We don’t want some idiots destroying that experience for 99.9 percent of our fans.” Because of the escape and rescue routes, this may not even be possible.
The club is waiting for the results of the investigating police. However, Kaenzig assumes that the perpetrator turns himself in: “We know that more and more witnesses are coming forward, and the pressure is also increasing on social media.”