Official: Bochum file appeal to overturn Union result | OneFootball

VfL Bochum managing director Ilja Kaenzig - speaking to members of the assembled media after Saturday's match with Union Berlin - indicated his intention file a complaint with the German FA that will seek overturn the 1-1 result after a flare-throwing incident caused play to be suspended near the end of the fixture. Kaenzig argued that the delay left Bochum at a "sporting disadvantage".

Bochum's appeal against the result was filed in accordance with the DFB's deadline for lodging such disputes this Monday evening. The Bundesliga's last-placed club seeks to invokeparagraph 17 of the DFB's legal and procedural regulations for suspended matches. Section 2, subsection b allows for results to be nullified if:

"A team was weakened due to a circumstance that occurred during the match that was unavoidable and not related to the match and an injury sustained during the match."

Kaenzig claims that, since Bochum had already exhausted their substitution quota at 90+2, they were unable to replace keeper Patrick Drewes when a flare forced him off the pitch. Bochum players initially did not agree with match official Martin Petersen decided to send both teams back onto the pitch to complete the match.

With their protest against continuing play duly noted, Petersen sent both teams onto the pitch anyway. VfL striker Philipp Hofmann played keeper whilst the two teams passed the ball around harmlessly in accordance with a "gentleman's agreement" to conclude matters in a non-sporting fashion.

What will become of Bochum's appeal remains to be seen. The likelihood of the result being overturned or a replay being ordered seems low. Petersen remained in contact with the DFB throughout the delay and was later praised by the German FA for the manner in which he handled the situation.