There is a threat of repercussions
©IMAGO
The Bundesliga game between 1. FC Union Berlin and VfL Bochum was interrupted for almost 25 minutes after a scandal shortly before the end. Bochum goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was hit in the head by an object thrown from the Union block. Both teams first went to the dressing rooms, only returned after a long break and the game ended legally with a 1:1 (1:1).
In the remaining minutes, the players from both teams only passed the ball to each other. Since Bochum could no longer make a substitution, attacker Philipp Hofmann had to go into goal. “We agreed that we would pass the ball back and forth,” said Hofmann on “Sky”. “Such an action is not possible. I didn’t even see it at first.” VfL wanted to “finish the game”. “That’s just not appropriate,” said Hofmann about throwing the object from the stands. “It’s a shame for the club because it’s actually a friendly club.”
Stadium spokesman Christian Arbeit had previously appealed to fans to stop throwing objects. However, the Berlin fans also mocked Drewes with mocking chants. “The people of Bochum will lodge an objection, that is what we know,” said Union sports director Horst Heldt. According to his information, the perpetrator was identified and handed over to the police.
“With all due respect, we agree that it’s not nice,” said Heldt. “Unfortunately, it has happened now, so we can only apologize. There is no question that we don’t like it. But we mustn’t start condemning the entire stand.” VfL Bochum wants to lodge an objection against the rating of the Bundesliga game on Monday, announced managing director Ilja Kaenzig. “From our point of view, the referee should have stopped the game, that didn’t happen.” Drewes was taken to the hospital. According to coach Dieter Hecking, the goalkeeper was dazed in the dressing room: “I’m not a doctor. We have to clarify this.” The referee of the game was Martin Petersen.
The sporting thing in the background: VfL Bochum is still waiting for a win
As a result of the incident, the fact that Bochum, the Bundesliga bottom club without a win, fought for a point despite being long outnumbered was obscured. In front of 22,012 spectators, Koji Miyoshi was shown a red card in the 13th minute for a serious foul. Ibrahima Sissoko gave VfL the lead (23′). Benedict Hollerbach (33rd) equalized.
Bochum remains at the bottom of the table with a total of only three points and has now been waiting for a win in 16 league games across the seasons. Since coach Dieter Hecking took office at the beginning of November, VfL has only gotten two points from five games. On the last matchday before the winter break, Bochum hosts Heidenheim next weekend. Union hasn’t won in eight competitive games. Bo Svensson’s team’s good start to the season has long since fizzled out. As in the previous year, the Berliners are in danger of slipping into the relegation battle. At the end of the year, the Iron Men will play against Werder Bremen.
The people of Köpenick could have cheered after just twenty seconds. Tim Skarke’s shot from close range went just over the goal. The guests were also active and had three corners after just three minutes. Then Miyoshi hit András Schäfer hard in the shin. Petersen immediately drew a red card. Nevertheless, VfL took the lead: After a free kick was blocked, Felix Passlack crossed to Sissoko, who prevailed and headed in from six meters.
The shock was clearly evident to the Berliners at first, but Hollerbach calmed things down a bit with his third goal of the season. In a tight space he switched quickly and pushed the ball into the corner. Union then became more dominant, but struggled to create good finishing opportunities in the penalty area. Shots from Robert Skov (45th+2) and Danilho Doekhi (45th+4) went just wide and over.
Shortly after the restart, Petersen initially gave Union a penalty, but took it back after looking at the video images. Skov fell in the penalty area. The Berliners had significantly more possession of the ball and shots on goal, but things were rarely really dangerous for Bochum. Then there was a scandal that could have repercussions at the DFB.
After the restart, both teams stopped attacking and just passed the ball back and forth until the final whistle. “We sat down in the referee’s booth,” explained Hecking. “Then the suggestion came to finish the game first. With a non-attack package, just like it was played.” He also emphasized that this only happened under protest from Bochum. “Both teams have agreed to continue playing. Those responsible for security told me that the safety of the players is guaranteed,” said referee Petersen, explaining his decision to continue the game on “Sky”. He recovered the lighter that was thrown.
