Overview

• The Ständige Schiedsgericht has postponed its final verdict on the December 2024 'Feuerzeug-Eklat' incident until after the Union Berlin-Bochum rematch, with a decision expected no earlier than April 28.
• The December match was disrupted when a Union Berlin supporter threw a firelighter that struck Bochum goalkeeper Patrick Drewes, causing a 25-minute delay and forcing him off the field.
• Both the Sportgericht and Bundesgericht of the Deutscher Fußball-Bund had overturned the original 1:1 result to a 0:2 loss for Union Berlin due to the incident.
• Union Berlin, with a 12-point cushion from relegation, faces minimal sporting impact, while Bochum, currently second-to-last in the standings, is fighting to avoid relegation.
• Union Berlin President Dirk Zingler criticized the precedent set by the decision to retroactively alter a match result based on spectator misconduct despite proper match completion.