Bochum awarded win over Union Berlin after keeper hit by lighter

Bochum were handed all three points by a German FA (DFB) court on Thursday after their goalkeeper was hit in the head by a lighter thrown by fans in a 1-1 Bundesliga draw at Union Berlin in December.

The court upheld Bochum's appeal against the referee's decision to play on after a delay of around half an hour, saying the incident unfairly impacted goalkeeper Patrick Drewes' "ability to play".

With the scores level in the second minute of stoppage time, Drewes was hit on the head with a cigarette lighter while preparing to take a goal kick and was taken from the field.

The DFB's sporting court has accepted VfL Bochum's appeal and have just awarded them a 2-0 win in the #FCUBOC game on 14 December. More to follow. #fcunion

— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) January 9, 2025

The referee ordered the teams off the pitch. When play resumed both sides agreed not to play on and kicked the ball among themselves until the clock wound down.

Drewes, who was accused by Union fans of exaggerating the incident, said on Thursday he had "felt dizzy" afterwards and had trouble recalling what teammates said to him.

Stephan Oberholz, head of the DFB sports court, said they had "no other choice" but to award Bochum victory, saying giving points off the pitch was "always the very last resort".

The match will be officially entered as a 2-0 victory for Bochum, the default scoreline awarded when the court is required to intervene.

Union have a week to lodge an appeal against the decision which could be crucial for both sides, particularly Bochum, who sat last in the table before Thursday's decision.

Union said they would "make a decision" on a potential appeal "once we receive the ruling in writing."