Are border controls for the EM a 'repressive machine'?
In June, over 800,000 people were checked at German borders during the EM. Among them were 86 hooligans. The Roof Association of Fan Assistance calls the effort "disproportionate" and speaks of "fairy tales" from German security authorities.
The Roof Association of Fan Assistance has criticized the border controls conducted during the EM as disproportionate. Under the pretext of alleged danger from football fans, "a massive repression machine" was set in motion, said board member Linda Röttig. The "comprehensive border controls" represented a significant infringement on freedom of movement.
According to the Federal Interior Ministry, a total of 827,803 people were checked at German borders from June 7 to 27. In addition to various other arrests, there were 86 refusals of entry for hooligans during this period. The ministry will publish numbers for the further EM period on Monday.
"Unjustifiable with the given reasons"
"The story of supposed travel plans of so-called 'problem fans' widely spread by security authorities before the tournament has now been revealed as a fairy tale," criticized Röttig. The free movement of persons and goods within the EU was effectively suspended due to the controls. "These are significant restrictions, which, considering the now available numbers, cannot be justified with the repeatedly presented reasons."
According to ministry statements, there were 85 arrests related to politically motivated crime between June 7 and June 27. 603 open arrest warrants were executed, 150 smugglers were temporarily detained, and 3,261 people were turned back at the border. From a police perspective, these numbers were "within the expected range," a ministry spokesperson said.
Federal SPD Interior Minister Nancy Faeser had registered border controls for the EM at all EU borders until July 19. The final between England and Spain takes place in Berlin on this Sunday. After this period, there will continue to be temporary border controls at the German borders with Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, and Poland.
Despite the Roof Association of Fan Assistance labeling the border controls during the European Football Championship 2024 in Germany as disproportionate, a total of 86 hooligans were refused entry during the tournament. The association also criticized the alleged use of "fairy tales" by German security authorities to justify the strict controls, which reportedly led to significant restrictions on freedom of movement within the EU.
