Fans of Eintracht Frankfurt Delay Game Against VfL Bochum with Obstructive Banners
Disruption at Bundesliga Game initiation due to fan demonstrations with posters
Football fans of Eintracht Frankfurt caused quite a ruckus during the Bundesliga game against VfL Bochum, leading to a delayed kick-off. The die-hard supporters unfurled banners that blocked an emergency exit, forcing referee Felix Zwayer to hold back the game.
At the scheduled kick-off time, the stadium announcer of the Bochum stadium announced that the security authorities would not release the game under the current circumstances. The reason? The fan banners were creating a hazardous situation, preventing a swift escape during an emergency.
As the minutes ticked by, neither team took the field, while frustrated players were relegated to a bit of twiddling their thumbs with the ball. The Frankfurt supporters remained firm, refusing to take down the banners even after the intervention of Eintracht Frankfurt's sports director, Markus Krösche.
Reporter Ann-Sophie Kimmel reported that the referee team was seething, and there was even talk of abandoning the game altogether. But at 16:05, the Frankfurt fans finally began to take down their banners, setting off a chain reaction among their fellow supporters. The Hesse fans cleared out of the away block, greeted by applause from the VfL Bochum supporters, who cheerily reminded them, "You've paid, you can go now."
The professionals from both teams took to the field for a second warm-up phase before the game finally kicked off at 16:20, ending the frustrating 50-minute delay. With the victory, Eintracht Frankfurt could snag third place in the Bundesliga, while VfL Bochum was battling for crucial points in the relegation battle.
Note that this isn't the first time there's been trouble due to obstructive banners. In the past, similar incidents have occurred in September 2023 and January 2024 with fans from Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfB Stuttgart blocking gates to the playing field.
In the Know
Obstructing emergency escape routes during a Bundesliga game is deemed a serious safety violation, potentially leading to delays or cancellations of matches. The DFB (German Football Association) and stadium authorities enforce strict guidelines to prioritize safety and compliance with regulations. The specific penalties for such actions are yet to be determined in this case but could include disciplinary measures against the responsible fans or clubs, such as fines or points deductions, depending on the severity and frequency of the incidents.
Future matches will likely see increased scrutiny and enforcement of safety rules to prevent similar incidents and ensure a safer experience for all attendees.
- Despite the delay, VfL Bochum supporters applauded as Frankfurt fans began to remove their banners at 16:05, allowing the rescheduled game against Eintracht Frankfurt to start a second warm-up phase at 16:20.
- Amidst the obstructive banners causing a delay during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Bochum, the referee team and the Hessians were furious, with talks of even abandoning the game entirely.
- The delayed kick-off of the Bundesliga game between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Bochum was due to fans obstructing an emergency exit with football clubs' banners, reminiscent of similar incidents in the past with clubs like Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfB Stuttgart.
