Bundesliga
The 1-1 draw between Union Berlin and Bochum on Matchday 14 has gone into the standings as a 2-0 win and three points for Bochum based on the DFB sports tribunal (DFB-Sportgericht) ruling of 9 January 2025. On 28 February 2025, the DFB federal tribunal (DFB-Bundesgericht), as the final instance within the association, confirmed this ruling.
Bochum officially lodged an appeal against the result of their 1-1 draw at Union on 14 December 2024 after goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was hit by a lighter thrown from the crowd, leading to a lengthy delay in proceedings. Both sets of players walked off the pitch before emerging minutes later.
However, Drewes did not return for the remainder, forcing Bochum to put striker Philipp Hofmann in goal as they had already used up all of their allotted substitutions. Both teams then decided not to attack as the game ended one apiece.
Watch: Highlights from the game in December
Bochum lodged an appeal against the result and were awarded a 2-0 win by the DFB sports tribunal on 9 January. Union subsequenly challenged the ruling, but the original decision was upheld following a hearing on 28 February 2025.
Oskar Riedmeyer, who presided over the hearing as chairman of the tribunal, said of the judgement: "For the DFB Federal Court, VfL Bochum was weakened as a result of the lighter thrown by a member of Union Berlin. This fault is attributed to Union Berlin."
"We underst that a successful appeal in accordance with section 17 of the Legal and Procedural Regulations can lead to a points revaluation or a replay," he continued. "However, an externally caused injury to an opposing player must not result in the perpetrator being able to take advantage of a replay."
In addition to Union, Holstein Kiel and St. Pauli also had appeals against the ruling dismissed by the DFB Federal Court.
Regardless of the final outcome of the game as a result of the ruling, all match statistics - including goals, assists and Bochum midfielder's Koji Miyoshi sending off - will stand.