Cup throw at linesman
Bundesliga game in Bochum canceled after scandal
03/18/2022, 10:19 p.m
Borussia Mönchengladbach leads 2-0 at VfL Bochum. In the 68th minute, assistant referee Christian Gittelmann was hit in the back of the head by a beer mug from the stands. The officials go into the dressing room. The Bundesliga game was canceled a little later.
The Bundesliga game between VfL Bochum and Borussia Mönchengladbach was canceled on Friday evening due to a cup being thrown. In the 68th minute, assistant referee Christian Gittelmann was hit in the head by a drink cup thrown from a stand with mostly Bochum fans. Referee Benjamin Cortus then immediately stopped the game. The stadium announcer later announced that the game would be canceled. At this point it was 2-0 for Gladbach.
“You have to apologize in all forms for the incident. It’s a pity that we are allowed to play in front of 25,000 spectators for the first time and the game doesn’t have a sporting ending. It’s not acceptable. We have to apologize in all forms,” said VfL sports director Sebastian Schindzielorz at DAZN. “We can only formally apologize to linesman Christian Gittelmann. A highly embarrassing and bitter evening for us. An extremely stupid action,” the club tweeted a little later.
“The game will not be restarted. The game is officially canceled,” said the stadium announcer. Gittelmann kept rubbing the painful area on his head. The team of referees retired to the catacombs of the stadium. The Gladbach players followed shortly afterwards. Bochum players around goalkeeper Manuel Riemann went to the supporters and tried to energetically influence them. Then they too left the field.
“We, VfL Bochum, have been writing an incredible story for almost two years. This action is just disrespectful to all those who work their ass off every day to experience this journey! Let alone the linesman! You have nothing in the stadium lost,” wrote Bochum striker Simon Zoller, who is working on his comeback after injury, on Twitter. Gladbach’s manager Roland Virkus commented: “It doesn’t make a good picture. Nobody wants the end like that, no question.”
Stadium announcer warned beforehand
Goalkeeper Manuel Riemann is pissed off.
(Photo: IMAGO/Moritz Müller)
With announcements, the stadium announcer had repeatedly pointed out that the spectators should refrain from throwing objects. It didn’t work. “You’re not just hurting yourself, you’re hurting others and you’re hurting our club,” said the stadium announcer. At first the fans of both clubs sang, the longer the interruption lasted, the quieter it became in the stadium.
It is the eighth game abandoned in Bundesliga history and the first since April 1, 2011. At that time, assistant referee Thorsten Schiffner was also hit by a beer mug during the FC St. Pauli game against FC Schalke 04. The game was stopped in the 86th minute when the score was 2-0 for the guests. Before the game, Bochum had the 25,000 spectators in the Ruhr Stadium extra with one Video asked with Captain Anthony Losilla not to throw objects on the field and prefer to drink the beer.
In front of 25,000 spectators in the Ruhrstadion, Alassane Pléa and Breel Embolo (61st) scored the goals for the guests in the 55th minute. When the demolition was certain, the Gladbachers went to their fans in the guest corner and said goodbye to their supporters with applause.