Bayern Munich loss halted by fan protests over private investment

Bayern Munich's match against Bochum, which lost 3-2, was briefly suspended due to fan protests against the proposed private equity investment, with the Bavarian giants falling further behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

The Bochum fans threw the tennis balls onto the court, forcing a premature stoppage of play. As soon as they were cleared, the Bayern Munich fans threw more tennis balls out of their section, which led referee Daniel Schlager to tell both teams to return to their locker rooms. Fans also chanted insults against the German Football League (DFL).

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The match resumed 13 minutes later. Fans across Germany demonstrated at matches against a proposed deal to sell a future stake in the league to a private equity investor.

In previous protests, apples and chocolate coins had been thrown onto the field. Remote-controlled cars were sent into the penalty area during Werder Bremen's 1-0 win over FC Cologne on Friday, while last week a match between Hamburg and Hannover in the second division was halted after supporters attached bicycle locks to a goal post. The officers cut the locks with an electric saw.

Bayern Munich's defeat puts pressure on coach Thomas Tuchel as the team's quest for a 12th consecutive league title becomes increasingly unlikely. Bayern Munich are now eight points behind Xabi Alonso's unbeaten Leverkusen side.

Bayern took the lead in the 14th minute when German international Jamal Musiala found the net from a tight angle, before Bochum began to turn the tide.

Takuma Asano equalized before Kevin Schlotterbeck made it 2-1 with a towering header before half-time.

A Kevin Stöger penalty made it 3-1 in the 85th minute, making Harry Kane's 94th minute a mere consolation.

Associated Press reporting contributed to this report