German soccer match abandoned after referee doused in beer

ZWICKAU, Germany — A third-tier soccer game in Germany was abandoned on Sunday after the referee was doused in beer by an angry fan at halftime.

Relegation-threatened Zwickau’s match against visiting Rot-Weiss Essen did not continue for the second half because referee Nicolas Winter had a cup of beer thrown in his face by a fan, who was apparently unhappy with his decision to send off a Zwickau player and award a penalty to Essen before halftime.

Winter showed Zwickau defender Nils Butzen a red card for bringing down American forward Isaiah Young, then awarded Essen a penalty for hand ball from the resultant free kick.

Simon Engelmann scored from the penalty spot to equalize for 1-1 before the break, when the home fans made their frustrations known.

The match officials waited before the leaving the field. Magenta Sport TV showed the fan throwing the beer at the referee’s face.

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