Sports tribunal awards Borussia 2-0 win for abandoned Bochum game

The DFB’s sports tribunal have awarded Borussia a 2-0 win for Friday’s abandoned Bundesliga game at VfL Bochum.

The match was stopped in the 68th minute with the Foals 2-0 up after assistant referee Christian Gittelmann was struck on the back of the head by a cup of beer thrown from the stands by a Bochum supporter. The linesman was injured and had to go to hospital as a result.

Stephan Oberholz, chairman of the DFB’s sports tribunal, explained: “Based on the DFB’s laws and regulations, which apply to all clubs, the game has been deemed as a 2-0 defeat for Bochum because the club are responsible for their own supporters and their actions. The decision on the result is legally binding, so replaying the match or playing the final 20 minutes would not possible.”

Oberholz continued: “The clubs are responsible for their fans’ actions according to § 9a of the DFB’s laws and regulations. That means that clubs are responsible for the behaviour of their players, officials, staff and supporters. Strict liability applies to the clubs when it comes to misbehaviour by their fans – this has been confirmed a number of times by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

Separate decision to be made on further sanctions against VfL Bochum

The DFB’s sports tribunal will make a separate decision at a later date regarding possible sanctions against VfL Bochum following the incident leading to the match being abandoned after charges were brought by the DFB control committee.