Toy balls and various items were launched onto the pitch as supporters objecting to the Bundesliga‘s schedule prompted a five-minute delay in the fixture between Augsburg and Union Berlin on Thursday.
The objects were tossed from the stands when the ball went out behind Augsburg’s net in the 32nd minute. Players, substitutes, and staff participated in clearing the field before the game could continue at the 37th minute.
Supporters displayed two banners denouncing the decision for an unusual Thursday match, urging for more games to be held in the traditional Saturday afternoon timeframe.
With 18 teams and a 34-match season, midweek fixtures are less common in the Bundesliga compared to other prominent European leagues.
The Thursday match was a consequence of the league’s television broadcasting agreement, which started this season, necessitating five different kickoff times for each matchday, as reported by the German agency dpa. This midweek match round also included early and late games on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thursday’s match concluded with a 1-1 tie after Union Berlin netted an equalizer in stoppage time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
