Criticism after outbreak of violence: Hansa fears ghost match

For the third-division soccer clubs FC Hansa Rostock and Dynamo Dresden, things could soon get uncomfortable. After the riots by violent fans last weekend, the clubs are facing harsh consequences. There was also harsh criticism from politicians.

"It is shameful and saddens me that children are frightened when visiting a stadium," said Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Sports Minister Stefanie Drese (SPD) when asked by the German Press Agency. Hansa coach Daniel Brinkmann reported that his son had cried in fear in the stadium after the outbreaks of violence that left more than 50 people injured.

"The recent excesses of violence and rioting by so-called fans from both camps are repulsive and shocking," continued Minister Drese. Her hope is "that the club and the police will identify and punish many of these anti-social perpetrators".

Threat of spectator exclusion?

As confirmed by the German Football Association (DFB), the association's own control committee has initiated investigative proceedings against both clubs. Hansa officials fear that a match could be played without spectators. The danger of a match ending up being played without spectators "should not be underestimated", said CEO Jürgen Wehlend in an interview on the club's own Hansa TV. "I can't rule out the possibility of partial or complete spectator exclusions."

The police confirmed on request that the security service in the stadium had handed over a suspect to the officers. The personal details of several guest fans were also taken at the main station. The investigation is still ongoing.

53 injured after violence escalated during the half-time break

During the match on Saturday, Dresden fans had tried to break through a partition made of security glass in order to get from their block into a buffer zone next to the stand area with Rostock supporters. The police then marched into this buffer zone. The incident then escalated: Hansa fans in particular shot flares and pyrotechnics in the direction of the visitors' block.

On the pitch and in the players' tunnel, players and officials from both clubs clashed. The second half was only kicked off after a delay of 28 minutes. According to the police, a total of 53 people were injured. In addition to 15 officers and five stadium employees, 33 spectators were also affected.

DFB sends "catalog of incidents"

Wehlend specified the DFB's measures in the interview. "There is an investigation into the pyrotechnics that were used. This applies to the pyrotechnics that were fired in the direction of the guest area and also from the guest area - clearly with the aim of deliberately injuring people," said the 59-year-old. These incidents "cannot be tolerated in any way".

In concrete terms, both clubs had "received a catalog of incidents. We and Dynamo Dresden have been asked to comment," said Wehlend. "We are currently in the process of clarifying the whole thing through video analysis, discussions with the state police, but also with our own stewards and security service, and formulating this statement. It is obvious that this will lead to a sports court dispute."

MV campaigns for uniform nationwide regulation for police costs

For Sports Minister Drese, "long-term stadium bans as well as participation in the damage caused are a suitable way to hold identified offenders accountable". The state government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has spoken out in favor of a uniform nationwide regulation for the participation of clubs in police costs.

Meanwhile, the taxpayers' association in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern demanded that the state government publish the costs incurred for major events with an increased potential for violence: "So that citizens can see in black and white what their taxes are being used for," said state managing director Sascha Mummenhoff.