German football fans aren’t happy. And they have every right to be. The DFB’s decision to give Bochum three points from their abandoned match against Union Berlin annoyed everyone. Was this about fairness or just a political message disguised as a ruling?
Key Takeaways
- Fans are furious over the DFB awarding Bochum a 2-0 win due to a flare incident.
- Union Berlin argues the ruling was a political statement, not a fair sporting decision.
- The decision sets a dangerous precedent, raising concerns about match interference and consistency.
The Controversial Ruling in Union Berlin vs Bochum match
Let’s go back. Union Berlin vs. Bochum. Matchday 14. 1-1 after 90 minutes. Then chaos – a flare from the stands hits Bochum’s keeper Patrick Drewes. The referee stops play for 25 minutes. Then play resumes and the game fizzes out into a draw with Bochum players making their point.
Then the appeal. Bochum argued they were robbed of a win. The DFB agreed and gave them a 2-0 win. But here’s the thing: sporting arguments didn’t play a big role in the decision. It was all about setting a precedent against pyros. Fair play? Fans don’t think so.
Fans Call It a Sham
Dirk Zingler, Union Berlin’s president, didn’t beat around the bush. He said a political statement took priority over justice. And the fans agree. A Kicker poll saw 65% of 134,000 respondents disagree with Bochum getting the points. That’s not a small outage – it’s a full-blown rejection of the decision.
The Bigger Issue: Are Rules Being Bent?
This isn’t just about one game. It’s about consistency. If player safety is the priority then why not have a uniform approach? If every game interrupted by crowd trouble led to forfeits, half of Europe’s leagues would be in chaos.
The DFB has effectively said outside interference can influence results but only if it suits them. That’s a dangerous precedent. Fans aren’t blind to it.
What Happens Now?
Union Berlin has already announced an appeal. But let’s be real – overturning this decision will be a tough task. The DFB doesn’t back down, especially when they’ve made a statement.
But this won’t go away anytime soon. Fans are angry and in Germany, fans have a lot of power. If enough voices are heard then the pressure might force a change in how these cases are handled.
Thoughts
It was never about fairness. It was about authority. The DFB wanted to make a statement and Union Berlin was the victims. Football should be decided on the pitch not in the boardroom. And fans will keep fighting to make sure that principle isn’t lost.
What do you think? Should Bochum have won or did the DFB get it wrong?
