Union Berlin appeals court ruling over Bochum goalkeeper hit by lighter

After Bochum’s goalkeeper was struck with a cigarette lighter during their December Bundesliga match, the German football federation’s sports court ruled that the team won 2-0.

“People repeatedly throw objects onto the stage, into indoor spaces, or onto the pitch at concerts or other sporting events because it’s bad enough.” Unfortunately, there’s nothing that any event organiser can do to prevent it”, Union president Dirk Zingler said late on Thursday.

Prior to the 1-1 draw that the teams played on December 14, the sports court had earlier awarded Bochum a victory over Union.

When the object was thrown from the crowd in extra time and Bochum goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was struck, the game was almost over. After Drewes sat down and received medical care, referee Martin Petersen suspended the game and led both teams off the field.

The game was called off by Bochum because the team did not want to re-enter it until nearly half an hour later when Philipp Hofmann took the place of Drewes. The court had an issue as well, so both teams agreed not to try to score.

According to court chairman Stephan Oberholz, “These agreements go against the fundamental principles of sporting competition.” Due to the fact that a Union supporter had thrown the item, Oberholz claimed that Union were to blame for “a weakening of the Bochum team.”

Zingler feels otherwise. According to Zingler, “the actual unsportsmanlike scandal took place today on the court and on the field,” suggesting Bochum had taken advantage of the situation.

“Whether there is an impairment or weakening for one side, whether the game is abandoned or continued, must always be the sole decision of the referee”, Zingler said.

“The door is open to fraud or even dirty tricks” if the beneficiary party can declare themselves to be weak. The parties who are in need of it will never be able to demonstrate the contrary.