Bayern Munich's match against Bochum, a 3-2 loss, was briefly suspended due to fan protests against the proposed private equity investment as the Bavarian giants fell further behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Bochum fans threw tennis balls onto the field, forcing the game to be stopped early. As soon as they were cleared, Bayern Munich fans threw more tennis balls from their section, prompting referee Daniel Schlager to order both teams to return to their locker rooms. The fans also chanted against the German Football League (DFL) with an insult.
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The match resumed about 13 minutes later. Fans across Germany have been protesting during 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 were thrown onto the pitch. On Friday, remote-controlled cars were sent speeding through the penalty area during Werder Bremen's 1-0 victory over FC Cologne, while last week, a match between Hamburg and Hannover in the second division was interrupted after fans attached bicycle locks to a goal post. Officials cut the padlocks 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.
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 stunning header before the break.
A penalty taken by Kevin Stöger made it 3-1 in the 85th minute, making Harry Kane's 94th-minute goal nothing more than a consolation.
Associated Press reporting contributed to this report.
