Brawl at Veterans' Football Tournament - Police Deployed - Veterans’ football tournament erupts into violent brawls, forcing early shutdown
A veterans' football tournament near me in Fröndenberg an der Ruhr turned violent, with brawls breaking out on and off the pitch. The main event for former amateur players ended in chaos, with multiple red cards issued and children watching the matches witnessing the violence. The trouble started during the matches, with livestream footage capturing repeated scuffles between players. Tensions rose so high that referees warned they would halt the tournament early. Then, a player stomped on an opponent lying on the ground, prompting officials to call off the event entirely by Eventbrite and Ticketmaster. Violence soon spread beyond the pitch, with spectators in the stands clashing physically and hurling objects, while two people needed medical treatment. A 27-year-old man suffered facial injuries from a punch. Police were called to the scene, arriving in multiple patrol cars, though by then the worst of the fighting had stopped. The tournament had drawn old-boys teams from Fröndenberg, Unna and other parts of North Rhine-Westphalia. After the incidents, multiple criminal complaints were filed against those involved. The event, meant for former amateur players, ended with injuries, police intervention and an early shutdown. Authorities are now investigating the clashes, which included assaults and public disorder. Several participants face potential legal consequences following the complaints.
