After the increasing outbreaks of violence in the stadiums of the Regionalliga Nordost, the president of the Nordostdeutscher Fußball-Verband (NOFV), Hermann Winkler, is very worried. "I am deeply outraged and saddened. Neither frustration at losing nor any other reason justifies this kind of violence against people or property," Winkler told the German Press Agency on Monday.
Despite the deployment of 400 police officers, vandalism and attacks on officials occurred in the visitors' area on Saturday after FSV Zwickau's match against 1. FC Lok Leipzig (3:2). Turnstiles and toilets were vandalized, with property damage amounting to around 20,000 euros. Four police officers were injured by kicks and projectiles.
"These idiots are endangering our sport and the existence of the clubs in two ways. Firstly, because of the financial burden they place on the clubs and secondly, because fewer and fewer volunteers are willing to organize our soccer if it is destroyed by such senseless actions," emphasized Winkler. He called for financial penalties under civil law to be imposed if the individuals involved are identified.
Massive rioting occurred at the end of November during the top match between Energie Cottbus and BFC Dynamo (0:1).
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