The Bundesliga match between Union Berlin and Bochum was stopped for about half an hour after the latter's goalkeeper was hit by an object thrown from the crowd.
Patrick Droz was struck by what appeared to be a lighter as he prepared to take a goal kick in second-half stoppage time during the 1-1 draw between the two teams at Union an der Alten Foersterei on Saturday.
The match was stopped while Droz received medical attention before referee Martin Pietersen stopped the match and ordered both sets of players to the dressing room.
The game restarts, but no one makes any effort to score. I've never seen anything like this before
– VfLBochum 1848 (@VfLBochum1848EN) December 14, 2024
Both teams eventually returned to the pitch but with Druz not ready to continue, Bochum were forced to put striker Philipp Hofmann in goal as they had already used all their allocated substitutions.
After play resumed, neither team made any attempt to try and win the game, instead opting to pass the ball between themselves as time ticked down.
Hoffman said after the game that both teams of players “agreed not to continue playing,” and said the incident was “completely unacceptable.”
Elijah #kainzig after #FCUBOC:
In our opinion, the referee should have abandoned the match. This did not happen. We announced that we would end the match under protest. We will file an appeal on Monday. pic.twitter.com/uspodGQ0EI
– VfLBochum 1848 (@VfLBochum1848EN) December 15, 2024
An association spokesman said the person responsible for throwing the object had been “identified and handed over to the police”, while the club’s sporting director, Horst Heldt, added: “It would be wrong to blame the entire club or the fans for this.” The action of one individual.”
Bochum managing director Ilya Kinzig said the club would appeal the decision not to stop the match, and claimed they should have been awarded the three points after being left at a “sporting disadvantage”.
