The Bundesliga match between VFL Bochum and Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday night was abandoned after one of the assistant referees was struck on the back of the head by a beer bottle thrown from the crowd.
Ironically, it was the first time that Bochum had been able to welcome a full crowd back to their ground after the last remaining Covid-19 restrictions in Germany were lifted. Despite that, it was also noteworthy as being the league’s first game without either side having their first-team coaches in the respective dugouts. Bochum’s Thomas Reis and his Gladbach counterpart Adi Hütter were both at home self-isolating with coronavirus infections.
The match was well into the second half and Gladbach were leading by two goals when Christian Gittelman was struck by the bottle. He picked the bottle up and threw it to one side and then knelt down, rubbing the back of his head.
Gittelman signalled to the man in the middle, Benjamin Cortus, that he was alright to continue, but the match officials still decided to walk off the field. While this went on, Bochum players angrily remonstrated with their own fans. Several minutes later, it was announced the game had been postponed.
Bochum were quick to offer their apologies on social media, condemning the stupidity of the lone fan who threw the bottle, describing it as a highly embarrassing and bitter evening for them. The hunt is on for the individual who threw the bottle.
Now they await their punishment from the Bundesliga, which may range from a heavy fine to a points deduction to being forced to play home games behind closed doors.
It is the latest in a series of crowd incidents ranging from France to Spain to the Netherlands to Mexico, marking the return of fans to stadiums after the restrictions of the pandemic.
It comes as Manchester police are studying CCTV footage to try and identify the supporters responsible for throwing objects at Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone following their side’s elimination from the Champions League earlier this week.