Bundesliga 2 - Drese: Hansa's statement is an "important signal"
Following Hansa Rostock's statement on the riots by supporters of the second division soccer club, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Sports Minister Stefanie Drese (SPD) has welcomed Hansa's position. "I have the impression that now not only individuals are taking a stand against the violent excesses, but that the entire club has understood that boundaries have been crossed," said Drese in a statement to Deutsche Presse-Agentur on Thursday. "If this process of coming to terms with the situation that has been started is continued and the confrontation with the violent fan scene is not shied away from, that would be huge progress."
Hansa announced several measures on Wednesday evening following the latest developments, which included massive riots at SC Paderborn with 38 people injured by Rostock supporters, an altercation between fans at the home match against Schalke 04 and a controversial choreography in the match against FC St. Pauli, which included the sunflower house in combination with pyrotechnics.
In addition to structural changes to the Ostseestadion, the plans also affect ticket access for fans. Tickets for the away games at Hannover 96 and VfL Osnabrück in February 2024 will only be available to club members and only for individual sale, the club announced on Wednesday evening. There will also be a choreo ban at home matches until the end of March. Drese described the club's distancing itself from violent criminals and violent individuals as an "important signal".
The riots had been so severe that the mayor of Rostock had expressed concern for the reputation of the Hanseatic city.
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- The German Press Agency reported that Stefanie Drese, the SPD's Sports Minister in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, praised Hansa Rostock's statement regarding the supporters' violent actions, calling it an "important signal."
- Hansa Rostock announced several measures in response to the recent incidents, including restricting ticket sales for away games and banning choreographies at home matches until March, in an effort to distance themselves from violent individuals.
- These measures were welcomed by Drese as a significant step towards addressing the issue of violent fan behavior in the 2. Bundesliga club, which had attracted heavy criticism and concern from the German press and local authorities in Rostock.
- Stefanie Drese further expressed her hope that Hansa's commitment to addressing the problem would serve as an example for other clubs in the German second division, as the league struggles to contain incidents of violence and hatred among some supporters.
- As Hansa Rostock's position on the issue gained attention in the German media, the club's homepage and social media platforms saw an increase in activity, with fans and commentators looking for more information on the club's plans to combat violence in soccer.
Source: www.stern.de
