Overview

• Union Berlin has formally escalated its case to the Ständige Schiedsgericht, the final arbitration body, to challenge the DFB's rulings on the December 2024 match against VfL Bochum.
• The DFB retroactively awarded Bochum a 2-0 victory after a Union Berlin fan injured Bochum goalkeeper Patrick Drewes by throwing a lighter, disrupting the match.
• Union Berlin argues that the rulings were procedurally flawed and politically influenced, and they are also considering potential civil legal actions.
• The arbitration court aims to expedite its decision to clarify league standings before the Bundesliga season concludes, as both clubs are in a relegation battle.
• The case raises broader questions about how fan misconduct should impact match outcomes and sets a potential precedent for addressing similar incidents in professional football.