Harry Kane and Bayern Munich teammates taken off pitch after protest and instantly concede goal in damaging defeat

Bayern Munich's 3-2 defeat at VfL Bochum was temporarily halted on TWO occasions due to fans throwing tennis balls onto the pitch.

Just shy of the half-hour mark, the referee ordered both teams off the pitch after numerous balls were thrown on by fans, who were protesting against planned private investment in the Bundesliga.

Approximately five minutes later play resumed with the German champions 1-0 up thanks to Jamal Musiala's emphatic finish.

But a short time after play restarted as former Arsenal player Takuma Asano equalised for the home side.

Bochum then turned the game on its head on 43 minutes when Keven Schlotterbeck headed them in front in a first half which saw Kane miss a huge chance when Bayern were 1-0 up, while 14 minutes were added on at the end.

The match was then halted for a second time after the half time break with more tennis balls being thrown onto the pitch.

On this occasion the referee ordered both teams to come off the pitch and go down the tunnel while the pitch was cleared again.

Play was resumed once again as Bayern suffered a damaging defeat in their pursuit of a 12th straight league title with a penalty by Kevin Stoger, which resulted in substitute Dayot Upamecano receiving his second yellow card, putting Bochum 3-1 up.

Kane scored just before stoppage time to set up a grandstand finish but then missed another huge opportunity as Bayern left the match empty-handed and eight points off Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who beat Heidenheim 2-1 on Saturday.

It was a poor performance by Thomas Tuchel's men, although there's no denying the first protest changed the momentum of the game.

Similar protests have been happening at other Bundesliga matches this weekend with chocolate and sweets among