Dortmund/Munich (dpa) – Following clashes between Bayern fans and police officers before the Bundesliga top match in Dortmund, Munich fan representatives have heavily criticized the law enforcement authorities. “Our long-experienced employees have not witnessed such an intensity and indiscriminateness of action against football fans in this form nationwide before,” stated the Munich Fan Project.
Clashes Before Kick-off
On Saturday evening, altercations between police and Bayern supporters occurred before the game. Dortmund police reported that some away fans attempted to breach an admission control point approximately two hours before kick-off. Five officers, one steward, and four uninvolved individuals were injured. According to the police, 30 criminal charges were filed. Additionally, Borussia Dortmund filed a criminal complaint for trespassing.
“Indiscriminate Use of Batons and Pepper Spray”
The Munich fan escorts explicitly distanced themselves from violence and criminal acts. However, regarding the subsequent police actions, they wrote: “From our perspective, individual measures were in no recognizable proportion to the preceding incidents.”
They accused the police of an “indiscriminate use of batons and pepper spray against all present.” This reportedly affected club officials and individuals from fan projects. “According to our findings, these measures resulted in several injuries, including some with serious injuries,” the statement read.
Bayern Fans: Worse Than Madrid and Athens
The active Bayern fan scene had already issued a joint statement of criticism on Sunday. They claimed that after the initial incident, the police repeatedly escalated the situation and proceeded “in a broad front” against waiting, uninvolved fans. The use of batons and irritant gas allegedly caused several bone fractures and facial injuries. Police also reportedly acted against supporters shortly before the final whistle.
“In terms of quantity and intensity, the extent of police violence in Dortmund surpassed comparable assaults we experienced in Madrid or Athens,” stated the fan associations from Munich’s Südkurve.
Achim Stankowitz, Deputy Police President of Dortmund, however, declared: “The knee-jerk assignment of blame to the police seems more than strange, considering the video data that we will also introduce into the criminal proceedings.”
Investigations and Future Implications
The Dortmund police are continuing their investigations into the incidents. The strong criticism from the Munich Fan Project and Bayern fan groups highlights ongoing tensions between football fans and law enforcement, particularly during high-profile matches. The incident has sparked a debate about police tactics and the rights of football supporters.
The events in Dortmund have drawn attention to the need for clear protocols and de-escalation strategies in managing large crowds at sporting events. Both fan organizations and police authorities are expected to review the circumstances to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident also underscores the challenges faced by clubs and fan projects in ensuring the safety and well-being of supporters while maintaining order at stadiums. The call for an independent review of the police actions is likely to gain momentum as more details emerge from the ongoing investigations.
The broader implications could affect future security arrangements for Bundesliga matches, potentially leading to revised policies on crowd control and fan engagement. The fan project reiterated its commitment to supporting fans and advocating for their rights, while condemning any form of violence.
The football community awaits further updates from the police investigation and potential responses from the German Football League (DFL) regarding the incident’s impact on fan culture and safety.
Source: https://www.wiesbadener-kurier.de/sport/sportnachrichten/muenchner-fanprojekt-kritisiert-polizei-dortmund-harsch-5481656
