Packing the Stands Empty: Würzburg Kickers Facing Fallout From Pyro Incidents
Protests after Pyro Incidents: Würzburg Kickers Play Before an Empty Stadium - Empty grandstands greeted Würzburg kickers following the pyro incident.
Here's the lowdown:
Following the pyro incidents during the Regionalliga match between Würzburg Kickers and 1. FC Schweinfurt, the home games for Würzburg Kickers will, for now, be played behind closed doors. The Bavarian Football Association (BFA) declared that while appeals can be lodged, they won't have any holding power in the situation. The Association aims to make a "strong statement" with this public-less game ban.
Last week's chaotic finale at the Sachs Stadium in Schweinfurt saw a 2:1 win for the hosts and their promotion to the 3rd football league. The clash was momentarily halted as spectators from the Würzburg section let off pyrotechnics and hurled firecrackers.
Point deduction looming?
The BFA legal representative hinted at the possibility of point deductions and stadium bans, including barring the public, during the main hearings. The representative deemed the incidents as "egregious fan misconduct" and a "grave violation of stadium etiquette."
Würzburg Kickers stand firm against collective penalties
The Würzburg club plans to challenge the ban on spectators. "We firmly believe that the measures we've already implemented would have ensured a secure and well-managed home game. Also, we find collective punishments inappropriate, as they impact fans who consistently uphold peace and decorum," the Kickers officially declared.
BFA acknowledges the impact on peaceful supporters
Although the spectator ban will affect peace-loving fans as well, the Association sees no other way to drive home the message and protect those very fans.
Würzburg Kickers' prominent members had previously lambasted the pyro incidents instigated by their own fans. "We explicitly denounce these so-called fans, and we'll employ all available resources to track down and punish the culprits," the club declared in an official statement. The incidents were "unacceptable" and "transcended every acceptable limit."
- Würzburg Kickers
- Regionalliga
- 1. FC Schweinfurt
- Bavaria
- Pyrotechnics
- Bavarian Football Association
- The Bavarian Football Association (BFA) has decided to ban spectators from attending Würzburg Kickers' home games in Regionalliga, following the pyro incidents during their match against 1. FC Schweinfurt.
- In addition to the spectator ban, the BFA has hinted at the possibility of point deductions and stadium bans for Würzburg Kickers, citing the pyrotechnics and other misconduct as "egregious fan misconduct" and a "grave violation of stadium etiquette."
- Würzburg Kickers have declared their intention to challenge the spectator ban, stating that they believe the measures they've already implemented would ensure a secure and well-managed home game, and find collective punishments inappropriate.
- Despite the impact on peace-loving fans, the Association sees no other way to drive home the message and protect those very fans, following the chaotic finale at the Sachs Stadium in Schweinfurt where spectators from the Würzburg section let off pyrotechnics and hurled firecrackers.
- Prominent members of Würzburg Kickers have denounced the pyro incidents instigated by their own fans, calling them "unacceptable" and "transcending every acceptable limit," and promising to employ all available resources to track down and punish the culprits.
