Bundesliga game called off after linesman struck by beer cup

BERLIN – A Bundesliga game between Bochum and Borussia Monchengladbach was called off after a linesman was struck in the back of the head by a plastic beer cup thrown by someone in the crowd.

The match was already noteworthy for being the league´s first to be played between teams without coaches as Bochum´s Thomas Reis and Gladbach counterpart Adi Hutter have coronavirus infections.

Gladbach was leading 2-0 through second-half goals from Alassane Plea and Breel Embolo with around 20 minutes remaining, when linesman Christian Gittelman was hit from behind by the beer cup. Gittelman picked the beaker up and threw it aside, AP reported.

He kneeled on the field and rubbed the back of his head, signaling to referee Benjamin Cortus that he was OK, but the match officials all left the field.

Meanwhile, Bochum players remonstrated angrily with their supporters.

After several minutes the stadium announcer said the game was postponed due to an object thrown from the crowd.

Some 15 minutes after the object was thrown, the Gladbach team emerged back onto the field to salute their traveling supporters.