Union Berlin vs Bochum halted as object thrown from crowd hits keeper Patrick Drewes

The goalkeeper fell to his knees, requiring medical attention on the pitch before referee Martin Petersen halted the game and sent both teams to the dressing rooms. Drewes was eventually taken to the hospital for further checks and was unable to continue playing. The were forced into a precarious situation because of this unfortunate incident as they had no goalkeeper to stand in goal.

With all substitutions exhausted, Bochum striker Philipp Hofmann was forced to don the goalkeeper’s gloves for the remainder of the match. In a rare display of solidarity, both teams chose not to pursue a winner upon resumption, passing the ball aimlessly until the final whistle. The match ended in a chorus of boos from the crowd at 1-1. Speaking to Sky Germany after the game, Hofmann said that both sets of played agreed not to continue with the game as they felt, “an action like that just isn’t OK at all.”

A farcical Bundesliga scene after Bochum GK Patrick Drewes was hit by a fan-thrown object.

The game resumed after 25 minutes with an outfield player in goal and the teams declined to attack, chatting and passing without purpose until the full-time whistle—in the 121st minute 😳 pic.twitter.com/u0lhCG81Z8

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) December 14, 2024

The incident sparked significant backlash from both clubs and officials. Bochum managing director Ilja Kaenzig expressed frustration at the referee’s decision to resume the game, arguing that Bochum were left at a “sporting disadvantage” and should have been awarded all three points under Bundesliga regulations. “The rules are very clear,” Kaenzig said. “We had exhausted our substitution quota.”

Bochum also confirmed they had continued the match “under protest” and planned to appeal the referee’s ruling. Hofmann, who filled in as goalkeeper, labeled the act “completely unacceptable” and confirmed that both teams agreed not to play competitively for the remaining time as a stand against the violent act. The troubling incident involving Patrick Drewes overshadowed an otherwise competitive match.

Union Berlin were swift in identifying and apprehending the individual responsible for the projectile. A club spokesperson confirmed that the culprit had been handed over to the police. Sporting director Horst Heldt condemned the act but urged against blaming the entire fanbase for the actions of one individual. “It would be a mistake to hold the whole club or our fans accountable,” he said.

Drama Beyond the Incident

The match itself offered plenty of talking points even before the unfortunate scenes involving Drewes. Bochum, under the guidance of Dieter Hecking, showed resilience despite their precarious position at the bottom of the Bundesliga table. They were reduced to 10 men as early as the 13th minute when Koji Miyoshi received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Union midfielder Andras Schäfer.

Undeterred, Bochum took the lead in the 23rd minute when Ibrahima Sissoko headed in a precise cross from Felix Passlack, silencing the Stadion Alte Försterei. Union Berlin, eager to capitalize on their numerical advantage, pushed forward relentlessly and were rewarded in the 33rd minute. Benedict Hollerbach, showcasing excellent skill, nutmegged Sissoko before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner to level the score.

The equalizer sparked wild celebrations among the home supporters, while Union coach Bo Svensson maintained a composed demeanor on the touchline. The second half saw fewer clear-cut chances. Union appeared to win a penalty early after the restart when Bernardo seemed to foul Morten Skov, but VAR intervened, showing the contact was accidental. The best opportunity of the half fell to Union’s Jakov Medić, whose wayward strike in the closing moments failed to trouble the Bochum defense.

And now the game is officially over. We’ve “played” out the final five minutes and the game ends in a draw.#meinVfL #FCUBOC pic.twitter.com/7hJkaMRCHF

— VfL Bochum 1848 (@VfLBochum1848EN) December 14, 2024

The game seemed destined to end in a stalemate even before the late drama involving Drewes. Both sides ultimately settled for a point each, a result that did little to improve Bochum’s dire situation at the bottom of the table. They remain winless after 14 games, nine points adrift of safety, while Union Berlin sit 12th with 17 points. An otherwise entertaining game, ended on a sour note due to the fan interruption.

While Union Berlin acted swiftly to address the situation, the fallout will likely extend beyond the pitch. For Bochum, the result and the injury to their goalkeeper compound what has been a challenging season, while Union Berlin face scrutiny over the behavior of a minority of their supporters. The Bundesliga, known for its passionate fans, now faces questions about ensuring safety for players and maintaining the integrity of the game.