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Hamburg derby: Police don't want to be "spoilsports"

Hamburg derby: Police don't want to be "spoilsports"

Hamburg derby: Police don't want to be "spoilsports"
Hamburg derby: Police don't want to be "spoilsports"

The much-anticipated city derby between FC St. Pauli and Hamburger SV, set for Sky on Friday at 18:30, is a hot ticket in Hamburg. Labeled as high-risk due to their longstanding rivalry, the second division leaders are poised for a thrilling face-off. With tensions running high, police chief Falk Schnabel and his team are mobilizing a substantial contingent to safeguard the event.

The duel between FC St. Pauli and HSV is packed with excitement on the pitch and off. St. Pauli fans will gather in Susannenstraße in the Kiez at 3 p.m., marching to the stadium, while the HSV supporters plan their own fan march from the fish market at 2.30 p.m. The authorities have implored soccer fans from both sides to act in a non-violent manner, ensuring peace during this high-stakes affair.

As a precaution, the Federal Police have issued a general order before the derby. Passersby near the railroad stations, S-Bahn trains, and S-Bahn stops on the Hamburg transport network are forbidden from carrying objects deemed dangerous, such as glass bottles, drinks cans, pyrotechnics, and balaclavas during certain hours before and after the match.

The police chief almost called for additional fan support during police operations within the stadium. Condemning lawless areas within stadiums, he emphasized that fans should comply with any directives issued by the authorities during the match.

In the stadium, a safety net has been installed in front of the visitor's stand, and the fence to the adjacent home section has been raised. The match is set against a backdrop of severe debates about violence in stadiums, following recent recurring incidents at soccer matches across Germany.

Past derbies between these two teams have been marred by aggressive and violent behavior. This led to several serious incidents at soccer matches in recent weeks. The police are putting in their best efforts to minimize a repeat of this trend and maintain order during the derby.

While the strict safety measures put in place are standard for such high-risk matches, separating rival groups, implementing advanced security systems, and deploying a significant police presence remain at the heart of the preparations for this city derby.

Information sourced from

Securing fan safety and preventing violent incidents have become priority concerns for the police and both clubs, as the spectrum of known troublemakers and organized activities have become increasingly complex. To combat these threats, authorities employ a combination of security tactics, engaging crowds and monitoring digital platforms to gather intelligence and intend to react swiftly and effectively in case of an incident.

When it comes to these highly anticipated matches, the responsible authorities accentuate the importance of community engagement, collaborative security efforts, and transparent communication with fans to promote a peaceful and respectful atmosphere.

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