Riots in Paderborn: high "criminal energy"

During SC Paderborn's 3:0 victory over Rostock, there is serious rioting by Hansa fans. Several people are injured. Massive damage occurs in the stadium.

, and Anne Legman

2023 December 16 . 12:03 PM

2 min read

There were riots at the match between SC Paderborn and Hansa Rostock. Photo.aussiedlerbote.de

2nd league - Riots in Paderborn: high "criminal energy"

Following the rioting by Hansa fans during Rostock's 3-0 defeat at SC Paderborn, the host club and the Paderborn police have commented on the incidents.

"With a high level of criminal energy, a small number of visiting fans crossed the line, causing injuries to uninvolved stadium visitors and massive damage to property and causing the match to be abandoned," they said in a joint statement. Hansa sporting director Kristian Walter distanced himself "completely" from the riots on behalf of the club immediately after the match.

Several interruptions

The 2nd Bundesliga match was interrupted twice for several minutes by referee Wolfgang Haslberger because pyrotechnics were set off in the visitors' area. According to police reports, around 150 violent visiting fans left the standing area during the match and threw various objects at stewards and police officers.

"A total of eight stewards and twelve police officers suffered injuries, one policewoman had to be treated for a cut in a Paderborn hospital. Massive damage was caused in the stadium's guest area as a result of the damage to property," continued the SCP and police statement.

Spectator injured in the head

Shortly before the end of the match, a Hansa fan climbed over a fence into the seating area and "seriously injured a neutral spectator on the head. The man had to be taken to hospital by ambulance," said the police and club. After the end of the match, there were no further incidents in the stadium area.

Paderborn managing director Martin Hornberger called for consequences for violent spectators. "The DFL and DFB need to consider whether clubs with fans who are prone to such violence should be allowed into other stadiums at all," he told TV channel Sky. "They showed complete violence."

Hornberger was horrified. "We had players who didn't want to leave because they were scared and felt very depressed," said the 62-year-old, describing the situation. He estimates the massive material damage at more than 100,000 euros. The visiting club will have to pay for this. "We will send the bill to Hansa Rostock. It's not our fault," said Hornberger.

Hansa goalkeeper Markus Kolke, who was sent off with a red card, told the pay-TV channel Sky: "Missile fire really doesn't have to be. So much can happen. I'm happy that nobody was hit."

The police and SC Paderborn had expected fan protests during the match due to the possible entry of investors into the German Football League (DFL). "However, the events at the SCP07 stadium went far beyond what was to be expected," the joint statement said.