A Bundesliga clash between Union Berlin and Bochum was interrupted for nearly 30 minutes after visiting goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was struck by an object thrown from the stands. The incident occurred in the final moments of stoppage time, with the score locked at 1-1.
The 31-year-old Drewes was preparing for a goal-kick when a cigarette lighter thrown from the crowd hit him, prompting him to drop to his knees. Medical staff attended to the injured keeper, and referee Martin Petersen halted the game, sending both teams back to the dressing room.
Bochum forced to play without a goalkeeper
Following the suspension, Bochum faced an additional challenge as Drewes could not continue, and all their substitutions had already been used. Striker Philipp Hofmann stepped into the goal, a rare move in professional football, as the match resumed.
Despite the unusual situation, neither team pursued an active attack, passing the ball among themselves until the final whistle. Hofmann later explained to Sky Germany that the players had collectively decided not to compete further, calling the incident “completely unacceptable.”
Bochum’s managing director Ilja Kaenzig criticized the referee’s choice to resume the match, arguing the rules should have led to an abandonment and a forfeit win for his team. “The regulations are clear, and we were at a sporting disadvantage,” Kaenzig stated.
Fallout and club responses
Union Berlin moved swiftly to identify and hand over the individual responsible for the thrown object to the police. A club spokesperson emphasized that the act was isolated and should not tarnish the reputation of their supporters.
Union’s sporting director Horst Heldt echoed this sentiment, asserting, “Blaming the entire club or its fanbase for one person’s behavior would be unfair.”
Earlier in the match, Bochum had been reduced to ten players after Koji Miyoshi received a red card in the 13th minute. Despite this setback, Ibrahima Sissoko gave the visitors the lead shortly after. Union Berlin equalized later in the first half through Benedict Hollerbach, but Bochum managed to secure just their third point of the campaign.
Bochum, still without a win this season, sits firmly at the bottom of the table with only three points after 14 games. Meanwhile, Union Berlin occupies 12th place with 17 points.
