St Pauli hit with punishment

Bundesliga outfit St Pauli have been ordered to play their next match behind closed doors.

German strugglers to play in front of empty stadium

Bundesliga outfit St Pauli have been ordered to play their next match behind closed doors. The relegation-threatened club have been punished by the German Football Federation after a fan threw a full plastic beer cup at a linesman during the game with Schalke last Friday. Werder Bremen travel to the Hamburg-based outfit on Easter Saturday but no fans will be present following the incident. The clash with Schalke was abandoned in the 88th minute with the visitors leading 2-0, although Schalke were later awarded with the win by the same score. The German Federation says St Pauli are responsible for the incident because the cup was thrown from the ranks of home supporters. It is a blow for the strugglers as St Pauli are second-bottom in the Bundesliga with just six games remaining this season.