DFB investigates after incidents with fans
The German Football Association is investigating the incidents at the weekend in the stadiums of Augsburg, Bochum and St. Pauli. The DFB confirmed to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur on Sunday "that the DFB Control Committee will initiate investigations in all three cases mentioned in the new week and examine the events".
According to the police, a firework was thrown from the "guest block area" and exploded near the corner flag during the match between FC Augsburg and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday. Eleven people were injured as a result. The two suspects are still in custody, as the Bavarian police in Swabia confirmed on Sunday morning when asked. Referee Felix Brych interrupted the match for around five minutes.
There had been an incident between visiting fans and police at the match between VfL Bochum and 1. FC Köln on Saturday. According to the police, the officers had to support the stewards at the entrance to the stadium because supporters from Cologne's "problem fan scene" had exerted a lot of pressure. Pepper spray was also used "briefly". Cologne Fan Relief wrote on X, formerly Twitter, of an "excessive police operation" and several injuries as a result.
In the 2nd division, there was an uproar on Friday evening about a police operation at the FC St. Pauli match against Hannover 96. Here too, fan representatives had criticized the police officers' actions. The officers justified the operation in the fan block with the necessary protection of a Hannover supporter. So far, at least 15 fans and 17 police officers have been injured.
- The DFB is also looking into the incidents involving fans at the Bundesliga 2 match between FC St. Pauli and Hanover 96, where police actions led to injuries among both fans and officers.
- The DFB Control Committee will also examine the incident at the Bundesliga game between FC Augsburg and TSG Hoffenheim, where a firework exploded near the corner flag, injuring eleven spectators.
- Despite the ongoing investigations, VfL Bochum fans continue to voice their concerns about the police intervention at the Bochum-Cologne match, which resulted in the use of pepper spray.
- TSG Hoffenheim and FC Augsburg fans will both be under scrutiny by the DFB, joining the groups from Bochum and St. Pauli, as they strive to maintain a safe and enjoyable atmosphere at Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 games.
- As the DFB investigates these incidents, there's a call for strengthening fan liaison and encouraging cooperation between clubs, supporters, and authorities to promote a positive fan culture in German football.
Source: www.dpa.com
