Are EM border controls 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 Help calls the effort "disproportionate" and speaks of "fables" from German security authorities.
The Roof Association of Fan Help 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 widely spread by security authorities before the tournament about alleged travel plans of so-called 'problem fans' has now been proven to be a fairy tale," criticized Röttig. The free movement of persons and goods within the EU was effectively suspended through the controls. "These are serious restrictions, which, considering the now available numbers, cannot be justified with the repeatedly presented reasons."
According to ministry statements, there were 85 fugitive arrests related to politically motivated crime between June 7 and June 27. 603 arrest warrants were executed, 150 smugglers were temporarily detained, and 3,261 people were turned away 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 controls at all EU borders for the EM 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.
The Roof Association of Fan Help also questions the necessity of these controls during the European Football Championship 2024 in Germany, as they believe the high number of hooligans denied entry was "unjustifiable with the given reasons." Despite the assertions of German security authorities regarding potential threats from football fans, Röttig contends that the extensive border controls amounted to a "fairy tale."
