During a match on Thursday between Augsburg and Union Berlin, play was halted for five minutes as fans protested the Bundesliga‘s scheduling by throwing toy balls and other items onto the field.
The disturbance occurred in the 32nd minute when the ball went out behind Augsburg’s goal. Players, substitutes, and staff had to join forces to clear the field before play could resume at the 37-minute mark.
Supporters showcased two banners against the rare Thursday match and demanded that more games be scheduled for the traditional Saturday afternoon time slot.
Midweek games are less common in the Bundesliga, which features 18 teams and a 34-game season, compared to other major European leagues.
The scheduling of the Thursday match was a result of the league’s new television broadcast contract that commenced this season, mandating five different kickoff times for each round of matches, according to the German news agency dpa. This round also included early and late games on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, with Union Berlin netting an equalizer during stoppage time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.