Hamburg derby: Police don't want to be "spoilsports"
The Hamburg police say they are preparing for the city derby between FC St. Pauli and Hamburger SV with "strong forces". "We are relying on our tried-and-tested security concept and strict fan segregation," said police chief Falk Schnabel on Thursday.
The 110th edition of the Hamburg city derby between second division leaders FC St. Pauli and second-placed HSV on Friday (18:30/Sky) is not only explosive in sporting terms. Due to the decades-old rivalry, the duel is classified as a high-risk match. "The police are not spoilsports and will act professionally and with a sense of proportion," said Schnabel. "I appeal to everyone who is looking forward to a peaceful derby to immediately exclude violent offenders and not give them a place to retreat."
The police want to prevent a clash between rival groups at all costs. The home fans plan to gather in Susannenstraße in the Kiez at 3 p.m. and march from there to the stadium. The HSV supporters are planning a fan march and will meet at 2.30 pm at the fish market. The police have called on soccer fans from both camps to be non-violent.
The Federal Police issued a general order before the derby. For several hours before and after the explosive clash, passers-by are not allowed to carry any objects such as glass bottles, drinks cans, pyrotechnics and balaclavas at railroad stations, S-Bahn trains and S-Bahn stops on the Hamburg transport network.
Prior to the match, police chief Schnabel had called for more support from fans during police operations in the stadium. "There are no lawless areas in stadiums either. And if the police carry out a measure, then the urgent request is: Let us do the same," Schnabel told NDR.
In the stadium itself, a safety net was hung in front of the visitors' stand and the fence to the adjacent home section was raised. The match is also taking place against the backdrop of a major debate about violence in stadiums. In recent weeks, there have been frequent serious riots at soccer matches. At the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart last Saturday, more than 200 people were injured.
On November 10, there were riots at the Millerntor Stadium during the match between FC St. Pauli and Hannover 96. After a fan was allegedly attacked, police officers entered the stands and were subsequently attacked by 96 fans. After the match, there were clashes between FC St. Pauli fans and the police outside the stadium. At least 15 fans and 17 police officers were injured.
The Hamburg derby between Bundesliga 2 teams FC St. Pauli and Hamburger SV is a high-risk match due to the decade-long rivalry, and the police urge fans to maintain peace. Despite preparing with strong forces and strict fan segregation, Chief Schnabel reassures that the police will act professionally and with proportion, asking everyone to exclude violent offenders from the derby.
Source: www.dpa.com
