Fans boycott Monday match as Dortmund held
MARCO REUS continued his fairytale comeback with a goal, but Borussia Dortmund were held to a 1-1 draw by Augsburg while fans protested against Monday football in the Bundesliga.
Sub-zero temperatures at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park did little to lift the match played in an eerie atmosphere, although Peter Stoeger’s hosts did extend their unbeaten run to nine league matches.
There was near silence from the half-full south stand, which normally holds 24,500, as the club backed the supporters’ silent protest.
“We accept and respect that many spectators have stayed at home, we are against a further extension of the matchday and will bring the issue to the German Football League (DFL),” said stadium announcer Norbert Dickel before kickoff.
“We are only for Monday games if there is a sporting reason.”
The scenes in Dortmund came after Eintracht Frankfurt fans pelted the pitch with tennis balls against RB Leipzig last week in the first Monday game.
Nevertheless, Germany star Reus had plenty to celebrate after claiming his second goal in only his third Bundesliga appearance since tearing a cruciate knee ligament in last May’s German Cup final.
“It’s annoying to end up with a draw after starting so well at home,” bemoaned Dortmund midfielder Mario Goetze.
“We didn’t do enough with the ball we had and the performance wasn’t what we had imagined.
“We’re normally spoiled with the support we get from the south stand and we are looking forward to having that support once more when the stadium is full again.” – AFP