Hertha’s troubled season got worse with the club facing possible sanctions after unruly fans invaded the pitch, some wielding steel bars. They were reacting to the club’s defeat at the hands of Nurnberg. 30 arrests were made and 4 police officers were injured.
It was a crucial match for both relegation threatened clubs. The loss leaves Berlin almost no chance of remaining in top flight, the first time in 12 years. A precipitous fall from their 4th place finish last season. They got off to a disastrous start in the present season losing six games in succession. Coach Lucien Favre was fired in October and replaced by Friedrich Funkel who has not been able to correct the club’s downward slide.
The scene left manager Michael Preetz in tears who now prepares for life in League 2 barring a miracle.