The Bundesliga game between VfL Bochum and Borussia Monchengladbach was called off on Friday after an assistant referee was struck in the back of the head by a plastic beer cup thrown by someone from the crowd.
The match was already noteworthy for being the league's first to be played between teams without coaches as Bochum's Thomas Reis and Gladbach counterpart Adi Hutter have coronavirus infections. Gladbach were leading 2-0 through second-half goals from Alassane Plea and Breel Embolo with around 20 minutes remaining, when assistant referee Christian Gittelmann was hit from behind by the beer cup. Gittelman picked the beaker up and threw it aside. He kneeled on the field and rubbed the back of his head, signaling to referee Benjamin Cortus that he was OK, but the match officials all left the field. Meanwhile, Bochum players remonstrated angrily with their supporters. After several minutes the stadium announcer said the restart of the game was delayed due to an object thrown from the crowd. Some 15 minutes after the object was thrown, the Gladbach team emerged back onto the field to salute their traveling supporters. Then the stadium announcer said the game was called off and asked for fans to leave the ground. (Source: ESPN)
"A comprehensive zero-tolerance policy, with a clearly defined penalty that is known to everyone in advance, should be worked out," Gittelmann told the German FA website. He was recovering at home Saturday after being treated in hospital for whiplash and a bruised skull. "This is the only way to end such acts of violence, and especially the acts of violence against our referee colleagues on amateur pitches," he added. Match referee Benjamin Cortus said he was left with "no alternative" other than to abandon Friday's game with Gittelmann dazed and needing medical attention. "It really got to me, especially since it unexpectedly hit me in the head with full force," Gittelmann added. The German Football Association are investigating. Bochum have said they will take action against the offender with "a stadium ban, exclusion from the club or confiscation of the season ticket" as well as "claims for damages". (Source: Barrons)
