Bochum awarded 2-0 victory over Union in disputed match, appeal forthcoming

The DFB sports court has handed down its initial ruling in the matter of VfL Bochum's protest over a disputed 1-1 draw with 1. FC Union Berlin.

Patrick Drewes being helped off the pitch after a flare throwing incident caused a disruption in play.

Maja Hitij, Getty Images

The German FA has handed down its initial ruling in the case of VfL Bochum's protest over a 1-1 draw with 1. FC Union Berlin on match-day 14. Bochum emerge as winners in the verdict, having been awarded an official 2-0 victory over their opponents based on the fact that the league's last-placed side only completed the match under protest.

Bochum thus earn three league points via what Germans term the "grünen Tisch". It must nevertheless be emphasized that the case remains far from closed. Union maintain the right to appeal the ruling to a higher DFB body and shall almost certainly do so. Statements from the DFB Control Committee appear to suggest that Union retain a solid case. 

“Such behavior is anti-competitive," Control Committee chairman Anton Nachreiner - as quoted by Germany's Kicker Magazine - noted in a statement, "Consider the fact that a team unrelated to this incident could be relegated because of this commitment."