Individual scaling stadium sues for reimbursement of law enforcement costs
Rebel Roof Climber Stands Firm Against €12K Fine## Osnabrück Man Brawls with Police Over Stadium Scaling Costs | Short Video
Last Updated: June 7, 2025, 8:28 AM
In a stubborn spurt of defiance, a 21-year-old climber from Osnabrück refused to pay a bill of around €12,076.93 from Dortmund's police department following his precarious stint on the stadium's roof during the Euro 2024 quarter-final last June. The court case has been lodged with the Administrative Court in Gelsenkirchen.
The court spokesman confirmed to the German Press Agency that the pleading, filed by the man's attorney, reached the court on Friday.
- European Football Showdown: Stadium Climber Haunts Police with 12K Bill | more*
Bill Mounts to Over €12K for Law Enforcement
The Dortmund police issued the man an invoice for €12,076.93 to cover the operational expenses associated with his death-defying escapade on the rooftop. In total, the operation mobilized 108 police officers, including a Special Operations Unit (SEK).
"We've gotta cover our bills," a spokesperson from Dortmund's police department stated at the end of April. In addition to the personnel costs, expenses were incurred for inspecting and confiscating the man's backpack by state criminal police officers and for deploying the police helicopter. To date, the man has only paid a €1,050 fine for trespassing.
Our source:
- News agency dpa
The Osnabrück native was discovered lurking under the stadium roof during the Euro quarter-final between Germany and Denmark, as reported by news magazine Spiegel. According to the magazine, he had already snuck his way up the evening before to snag some photos. He has been identified with the extreme hobbyist scene known as "roofers," which consists of thrill-seekers who climb perilous heights. He was apprehended in Ulm Cathedral in October. The roofer's attorney had already pledged to reject the fine before the fee notice was issued. The security forces were already on the premises, regardless.
In this case, a 21-year-old man from Osnabrück is standing firm against a fine of approximately €12,000 for his daring climb atop Dortmund's BVB-Arena during the Euro 2024 quarter-final between Germany and Denmark. The man's audacious adventure prompted an extensive response from the police, involving 108 officers, including a Special Operations Command (SEK). The man is part of the so-called "roofer" scene, a group who engage in extreme heights climbing. He has filed a lawsuit at the Gelsenkirchen Administrative Court, challenging the fine. The case is being processed under the file number 17 K 3525/25. This case underscores the legal and financial implications of such dangerous exploits, as well as the resources law enforcement agencies allocate to address such instances.
- Man Faces €12K Fine over Euro 2024 Stadium Stunt: The Osnabrück native, engaged in a legal battle, contesting a €12,076.93 bill issued by Dortmund's police for his daring rooftop climb during the Euro 2024 quarter-final.
- Record Expenses for Stadium Roof Climber: The man's reported stunt atop BVB-Arena triggered an operation involving 108 police, including Special Operations Unit (SEK), a helicopter deployment, and extensive inspection and confiscation costs, totaling €12,076.93.
- Sports and Crime on the Rise: Meanwhile, in the world of general-news, the roofer's case serves as a reminder of the increased costs associated with crime-and-justice cases, while in the realm of sports, European leagues are heating up, with Champions League matches around the corner.
