Law enforcement actions during the "Wernesgrüner Sachsenpokal" football final and a protest rally
On Saturday, Leipzig Police, alongside regional forces, conducted a police operation accompanying the final match of the regional football cup competition, the Wernesgrüner Sachsenpokal. The Saxon riot police, the Police Administration Office, and Thuringian Police offered assistance, with over 700 officers deployed.
The clash pitted 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig against FC Erzgebirge Aue, commencing shortly after 16:30 and concluding following a penalty shootout at 19:15, ending in a close 6:5 victory for Leipzig. The journey to the game was incident-free, but during the match, fans frequently set off pyrotechnics in the stadium.
These actions have prompted multiple investigations based on suspicions of attempted dangerous bodily harm due to pyrotechnics being used in densely populated areas. The use of masks among fans has also led to further probes.
After the game, a group of Aue fans ignited trash in the guest block, which self-extinguished after a few minutes. There were no reported altercations or additional disturbances during the departure. The ongoing police operation continues.
Simultaneously, a demonstration under the banner "Solidarity is our weapon - Demo against police violence and repression" was monitored. This began at around 15:00 with an opening rally at the Kleine Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. With over 200 participants at its peak, the demonstration moved through Leipzig's city center, concluding peacefully by 16:30.
The Wernesgrüner Sachsenpokal, sponsored by the Wernesgrüner Brewery, is a significant local football competition, offering opportunities for smaller teams to challenge larger ones. Incidents involving pyrotechnics and demonstrations at football matches are not rare, potentially arising from fan culture or protests. Regulations regarding the use of pyrotechnics in stadiums, due to safety risks and disruptions to matches, are strict in many European countries, including Germany.
Football fans' use of pyrotechnics during the Wernesgrüner Sachsenpokal, a local league game between 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig and FC Erzgebirge Aue, has led to multiple investigations, suspecting attempts of dangerous bodily harm and contributing to ongoing probes regarding the use of masks among fans. Europe-wide, regulations on the use of pyrotechnics in stadiums are strict due to safety risks and disruptions to matches.
