Union Berlin has formally appealed a ruling by the German football federation’s sports court, which awarded a 2-0 victory to VfL Bochum following an incident during a Bundesliga match in December. The legal dispute arises from an unusual and unfortunate event in which Bochum’s goalkeeper, Patrick Drewes, was struck by a cigarette lighter thrown from the stands during the match, resulting in an early suspension of play.

Union Berlin club president Dirk Zingler expressed his concerns about the broader implications of such incidents at sporting events. He remarked on the challenges faced by event organizers in preventing objects from being thrown into venues, stating that it is a persistent issue at various public events, including sports and concerts.

The competitive match, held on December 14, was approaching its conclusion when the incident occurred, prompting referee Martin Petersen to halt the game. Drewes was provided medical attention on the pitch before both teams exited the field. Following deliberations, the sports court decided to award the match to Bochum, upholding the conviction that the disruption caused by the incident fundamentally altered the competitive integrity of the game.

While Bochum expressed reluctance to resume the match following the incident, play continued after a delay of nearly half an hour, with Union and Bochum players mutually agreeing to not attempt to score during the final minutes—an arrangement that has drawn scrutiny and criticism from the court.

Stephan Oberholz, chair of the sports court, indicated that the agreement not to pursue scoring opportunities contradicted the fundamental principles of competitive sports. He noted that the responsibility for the incident rested on Union due to the actions of a supporter.

In a counter-response, Zingler contested this view, alleging that the true unsportsmanlike behavior occurred on the field and in the subsequent court ruling. He argued that the integrity of officiating must be maintained, cautioning against letting the “beneficiary party” declare themselves as weakened by incidents like this, as it could open the door to potential fraud.

As Union Berlin prepares to take its case further, the situation underscores the delicate balance between maintaining spectator engagement and ensuring the safety of players in competitive sports.

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