Bochum Secures Points in Relegation Battle
The German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed that VfL Bochum has officially been awarded a 2-0 victory against Union Berlin, following a decision made by an arbitration panel. This ruling stems from a controversial match last December that initially ended in a 1-1 draw.
Incident Overview
The match faced significant disruption when Bochum goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was struck by a lighter thrown from the stands. This incident prompted a delay in the game as officials assessed Drewes’ condition, ultimately leading to Bochum finishing the match with an outfield player in goal due to already exhausting their substitutions.
Appeal and Final Decision
After the match, Union Berlin submitted an appeal to contest the DFB’s ruling regarding the match outcome. However, the arbitration committee upheld the DFB’s decision, affirming Bochum’s status as the match winners. This outcome is crucial for Bochum, which is facing challenges in the league.
Current Standings and Future Matches
In a recent Bundesliga matchup, Bochum played Union Berlin again, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Despite this draw, the team finds itself four points adrift of the relegation playoff spot, making the few matches remaining in the season critical for their survival hopes.
Relegation Implications
Being in the last position of the league table, Bochum faces an uphill battle as they navigate the final stretch of the season. Their upcoming matches are crucial, particularly a looming encounter with Heidenheim, where a loss could severely impact their chances of remaining in the Bundesliga next season.
