Financial Compensation for St. Pauli Following Incidents against Werder Bremen
FC St. Pauli fined €95,000 for Pyro Incidents in Bundesliga Match
On Tuesday, the German Football Association (DFB) imposed a €95,000 fine on FC St. Pauli for pyrotechnic incidents that occurred during a home match against Werder Bremen in December. The match, which ended 0:2 in favor of Bremen, saw both sets of fans lighting flares, causing the game to be delayed by six minutes and a multi-minute break at the start of the second half. €31,600 of the fine can be used for St. Pauli's security or violence prevention measures.
The penalty brings St. Pauli's total fines since the implementation of the controversial measure to approximately €1.5 million. The club has paid six-figure sums on three occasions, all for incidents in the derby against HSV. The highest fine of €117,250 was handed out during the 2022/23 season.
Since the incident, St. Pauli has faced widespread criticism from all quarters. President Oke Göttlich commented, "Unfortunately, such actions are harmful to our approach to fan culture and the rationalization of the pyrotechnic debate with the associations. They erode trust and promote a societal environment that emphasizes repression and punishment."
The use of pyrotechnics in German football is a common issue, often leading to fines and stadium bans. FC St. Paulie's passionate fan culture contributes to a lively atmosphere during matches, but it also poses challenges in ensuring fan behavior and stadium safety.
The amount that Werder Bremen has to pay for their involvement in the pyro incidents has not been disclosed as of this writing.
In the past, St. Pauli derby matches against Hamburg's HSV have been particularly intense due to the historical rivalry between the two teams. These matches have resulted in significant fines for St. Pauli, indicating a recurring issue in their home games.
The European football teams might take notice of the €95,000 fine imposed on FC St. Pauli for the use of pyrotechnics during a Bundesliga match. The frequent pyro incidents, including those in previous derby matches against HSV, have contributed to over €1.5 million in fines for the club.