Fan celebrations at the EM - Pyros and more - but police satisfied after European Championship match
After the last match of the UEFA European Championship in Leipzig, the police draw a positive balance of the four matchdays. The last EM game on Tuesday evening in Saxony was marked by "peacefully celebrating fans, who cheered on their teams in a good mood", according to the police headquarters.
However, a series of offenses in connection with the match Austria versus Turkey (1:2) were reported: More than 30 offenses and five ordinance violations were recorded. The number could still increase, as the events during the marches of both fan groups had not been fully evaluated yet.
Pyrotechnics and Drones
Investigations focus primarily on attempted bodily harm: In both fan groups, pyrotechnics were reportedly ignited among the crowd repeatedly. Investigations are also being conducted for incitement to insult, bodily harm, and because some fans had disguised themselves during the marches. This is not permitted according to the Assembly Act.
Additionally, two drones were flown in the area where they could not have been steered. The police are investigating this for violating the Air Traffic Act. Approximately 2100 police officers were in action. At the fan marches, there were reportedly around 4000 supporters of the Turkish team and up to 8000 of the Austrian team present.
Racist Texts
However, Austrian football fans caused a stir before the quarter-final match. During a broadcast of Swiss television SRF, it was seen that supporters of the Austrian national team in the city sang the slogan "Germany for the Germans, foreigners out" to the melody of the song "L'amour toujours". The Leipzig police confirmed on dpa request that an initial suspicion had been taken.
The racist slogan became known nationwide through a video from the island of Sylt. In it, numerous young people were seen cheering "foreigners out" and "Germany for the Germans" to the song by Gigi D'Agostino during a party.
The Red Cross also draws a positive balance
According to the German Red Cross (DRK), the games in Leipzig proceeded without major disruptions and incidents. Helpers of the DRK and other rescue services were on site both in the stadium and outside for deployment. In 287 cases, they treated fans who had either drunk too much or had circulatory problems.
- Despite the positive police report following the UEFA European Championship match in Leipzig, there were reported offenses during the Austria versus Turkey game, resulting in over 30 recorded offenses and five ordinance violations.
- Investigations are ongoing regarding attempted bodily harm among the fan groups, as pyrotechnics were reportedly ignited multiple times, and incitement to insult, bodily harm, and disguising oneself during marches are also being investigated.
- In addition to these offenses, two drones were flown in prohibited areas, leading to investigations for violating the Air Traffic Act.
- Prior to the quarter-final match, Austrian football fans caused controversy by singing racist slogans during a broadcast, prompting an initial suspicion from the Leipzig police.
- Despite these incidents, the German Red Cross reported that the games in Leipzig proceeded without significant disruptions or incidents, with rescue services on hand to treat over 287 fans with alcohol-related issues or circulatory problems.
