Accusations to fans and officials
Police operation before the Frankfurt game causes massive trouble
November 25, 2023, 8:41 p.m
Hundreds of Eintracht Frankfurt football fans missed the start of the Bundesliga game against VfB Stuttgart in protest against what they considered to be a disproportionate police operation outside the stadium. It wasn’t until the middle of the first half that the block filled up again.
The Ultras from Eintracht Frankfurt protested against what they saw as a disproportionate deployment of police at Hessen’s Bundesliga game against VfB Stuttgart. When the teams arrived, the supporters left their usual places in the northwest curve. They only took it back after around 20 minutes of play. According to Frankfurt police, this was preceded by an “escalation” between rival fan groups, who then proceeded to “vehemently attack them” after the emergency services intervened. The police then sent additional emergency services, including water cannons, to provide support.
In another post on X, the authorities reported that stewards had been “harassed and attacked.” “This was followed by an emergency call to the police to support the stewards. The officers were immediately attacked when they arrived and also defended themselves with irritants.” All of this took place in the entrance area in front of Block 40, not in the block. “To be clear: We will not tolerate attacks on our emergency services!”
Videos on social networks show fans throwing Bengalos and other things at police officers. The latter were criticized online for the fact that even uninvolved people allegedly received pepper spray. Eintracht board member Philipp Reschke later explained that there had been “massive clashes” between the police and Frankfurt fans. “According to reports, there were injuries,” reported Reschke. There is “various information and different opinions” about the cause of the riots. Regarding the alleged starting point of the riots – “escalation” between rival fan groups – Reschke said: “I can’t understand that at the moment. I don’t have any information from any side that would confirm that.”
In the past few weeks there have been repeated serious riots between fans and police officers. The control committee of the German Football Association (DFB) announced that it would initiate investigations after the events in the games between FC Augsburg and TSG Hoffenheim, between VfL Bochum and 1. FC Köln and between FC St. Pauli and Hannover 96 .