Eintracht Frankfurt's Tricky Fan Situation: Time for Tough Action
The Frankfurters are under intense scrutiny from the German Police Union (DPoIG) Hessen. They are urging the club to take serious action against the rowdy Ultras and curb their influential power within the stadium.
The call comes after several violent incidents at the Deutsche Bank Park, most notably before the Frankfurt vs Stuttgart match, which left over 100 people injured. It all began when a steward prevented an Ultra without a ticket from entering Block 40 in the north-west curve. The escalation was unwarranted and led to a chaotic situation, with the Ultras resorting to violence against stewards and police. This is not the first time the Ultras have caused trouble at the stadium, with repeated instances of violent actions against security and police forces, disregarding fire department guidelines, and setting tires on fire.
The DPoIG Hessen is demanding decisive action from Eintracht Frankfurt, specifically:
- Consistent enforcement of stadium bans.
- Removal of Ultra premises in the stadium.
- Regular removal of flags glorifying violence.
Additionally, the DPoIG is pushing for Hesse to charge the DFL for police costs in Frankfurt, similar to Bremen. They believe every match in Frankfurt is a potential high-risk situation due to fan violence.
A long-standing legal dispute between the state of Bremen and the DFL, regarding police costs in Bremen, is currently being heard at the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe for over 1.5 years.
Eintracht Frankfurt's challenging fan situation is not unique, as other German and Italian clubs face similar issues. To tackle the problem, clubs can implement various strategies:
- Collaborate with authorities to boost security measures through mobile barriers, controlled checkpoints, and improved surveillance systems.
- Launch anti-violence campaigns to educate fans on the consequences of violence and foster a culture of respect and safety within the stadium.
- Segregate different fan groups to reduce conflicts and ensure a safer environment.
- Implement a zero-tolerance policy, with severe consequences for violent behavior.
- Engage in open dialogue with supporters to address their concerns and involve them in initiatives to reduce violence.
- Incorporate safety features into the stadium design.
Failure to address fan violence and ultras-related issues can lead to legal consequences for the club and the German Football League (DFL), including prosecution of violent fans, club liability, disciplinary actions, regulatory compliance, and potential investigations by authorities.
With these points in mind, Eintracht Frankfurt must take bold action to create a safer environment for its supporters and avoid potential legal repercussions. The club's inaction in tackling fan violence and ultras' influences has long created a tense situation, and the time for change has come.
