During the recent Bundesliga relegation battle, Hertha suffered a significant 1:3 loss to Hoffenheim. One of the most memorable moments of the game was captured on camera, revealing Hertha striker Florian Niederlechner looking at his mobile phone during the second half on the substitutes’ bench. While his teammates were struggling on the field, Niederlechner’s attention was elsewhere.
Unfortunately for Hertha, their dismal performance led to them falling down to the relegation place in the league. They are now sitting on 21 points, one point ahead of Stuttgart, but one point behind Hoffenheim in 15th place. Niederlechner later took to Instagram to explain his actions, stating that he had only checked the results of the other competitors with his teammate and clarifying that he wants nothing more than to help the team avoid relegation.
However, the mobile phone incident was not the only worrying moment during the game. Violence erupted in the stands, and spectators were seen attacking one another. A banner reading “Investors undesirable!” was unfurled in the 2nd minute, clearly protesting against Hertha’s new owner, 777. It is unclear whether the spectators involved were Hertha supporters or fans of Karlsruher SC, who share a fan friendship with Hertha but are enemies with Hoffenheim.
The Sinsheim police station has launched an investigation into the assault, and one Berlin fan was slightly injured in the violence. The scene was unprecedented in the Bundesliga and highlights the intense emotions involved in relegation battles. It is crucial that players and fans alike remain focused on the game and avoid distractions like mobile phones to give their team the best chance of avoiding relegation.
