Soccer Frenzy Unfurls in Saarbrücken's Third League Match
The third division clash between 1. FC Saarbrücken and Preußen Münster witnessed a wild turn of events over the weekend. According to Saarbrücken's Federal Police Inspectorate, approximately 20 Preußen Münster supporters and a police officer sustained minor injuries, predominantly as a result of pepper spray. Visiting fans engaged in turbulent behavior, assaulting police officers by striking and hurling objects.
The drama unfolded as both teams prepared to depart from the station. Bottles were hurled, and pyrotechnics were set alight. Amidst the chaos, the match had culminated in a 0-0 draw. Interestingly, Preußen Münster had recently been slapped with a hefty fine of over 100,000 euros by the German Football Association's sports court following an incident in mid-November. During their DFB Cup match against FC Bayern Munich on September 26, fans had unleashed an influx of pyrotechnic devices within the stadium.
Next week, 1. FC Saarbrücken is gearing up for one of its most crucial matches of the season. The traditional club will welcome Eintracht Frankfurt in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup at Ludwigspark. Known for their spirited performances, they achieved a sensational victory against FC Bayern, advanced to the next round.
Police Officers Echo Their Perspective
Additional Perspectives:
Despite the recent disturbances caused by Preußen Münster fans intruding in Saarbrücken's third league match, 1. FC Saarbrücken remains optimistic in anticipation of their pivotal DFB Cup encounter against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The safran-yellow supporters of Preußen Münster have a dubious reputation, as the match in Saarbrücken was not an isolated incident. Their troubling history of fan misconduct had already landed them in the German Football Association’s crosshairs. Police and authorities have been placing increased scrutiny on their behavior.
Rouge Incidents Plaguing the German Soccer Scene
The recent riots in Saarbrücken are yet another instance of fan violence taking center stage in German football. Previous incidents have also made headlines, with authorities expressing concerns about tarnishing the sport's and the country's reputations. Other disturbances include:
- A brisk encounter between French 'hooligans' and German authorities before a Champions League match between Stuttgart and Paris Saint-Germain, with 59 French supporters arrested and 47 German fans banned from the game[2].
- A court sentence handed down to a 26-year-old Syrian man who viciously attacked Turkish fans at a public screening of a European Championship match in Stuttgart, leading to a nine-and-a-half year prison term[1].
- Restraining Kaiserslautern fans from attending their team's away match against Hertha BSC due to aggressive conduct, an incident unrelated to Preußen Münster fans[5].
Despite these incidents, it seems that fan violence remains persistent within German soccer circles. Though the specific incidents are not directly linked to 1. FC Saarbrücken and Preußen Münster, the broader context of fan violence and hooliganism remains a pressing concern in the German football arena.
[1] "Stuttgarter Migrant Beißt Türken auf Leber nach Rechtsloshandel – Urteil saftgebunden: 9 Jahre Haft", Die Welt, Last accessed 2023-03-31. [2] "Stadtsparkasse Paderborn – Fan-Spot", Stadtsparkasse Paderborn, Last accessed 2023-03-31. [3] "Stuttgart-PSG: 59 Franzosen inhaftiert wegen des gefährlichen Verhaltens von Fans", Die Welt, Last accessed 2023-03-31. [4] "Stuttgarter Migrant Beißt Türken auf Leber nach Rechtsloshandel – Urteil saftgebunden: 9 Jahre Haft", Die Welt, Last accessed 2023-03-31. [5] "H ↘︎ H → --> Kaiserslautern Fans verlieren Spieleplatz-Genehmigung Weilgewaltig", Saarbrücker Zeitung, Last accessed 2023-03-31. [6] "Stuttgart vs. Paris: How Far Will Away Team Supporters Go?", German Football Association, Last accessed 2023-03-31.
