Hertha appeal against relegation fails

The fixture in Dusseldorf was twice halted due to fan unrest, first after Hertha supporters threw fireworks onto the pitch and then when hundreds of Fortuna fans streamed onto the field with over a minute of stoppage time still to be played.

Once order was restored the match ended in a 2-2 draw, enough for Fortuna to win 4-3 on aggregate and replace Hertha in the Bundesliga next season.

Hertha argued that the result should be declared null and void and the match replayed as its players were unable to focus on football during the final minute of the match, and lodged an appeal with the DFB that was considered by a tribunal in a seven-hour hearing on Friday.

In announcing the tribunal's decision, chairman Hans E. Lorenz said: "The appeal was unsuccessful as no reasonable grounds for an appeal could be established.

"The referee reacted in accordance with the laws of the game and Hertha BSC's claim of a disadvantage because of the match interruption could not be substantiated."

Hertha has 24 hours to lodge an appeal against this latest ruling, and have previously indicated they intend to do so.