Peaceful football evening with shadow: DFB Cup game in Braunschweig

Peaceful football evening with shadow: DFB Cup game in Braunschweig

On Monday evening, August 19, 2024, there was an exciting DFB Cup game between Eintracht Braunschweig and Eintracht Frankfurt in the stadium on Hamburger Strasse. The encounter, which met with great interest, was accompanied by over 1900 followers of the Braunschweig team, which pulled through the city center with a fan march. The elevator started at the Altstadtmarkt and led directly to the stadium, which impressively demonstrated the cohesion and enthusiasm of the fans.

Despite the festive mood, there were some incidents during the march. Fans kept lit Bengalos and foggy pots, which made the atmosphere colorful, but also risky. Such pyrotechnics are controversial in football because it not only endangers security, but also carries health risks. During the game itself, the traditions of the magic fire were continued by supporters of both teams.

confrontations and resistance

It was particularly striking an incident that occurred in Schmalbachstrasse. Here a 31-year-old man should be checked after the throw of a firecracker. Instead of behaving cooperatively, he resisted, which led to the police exposed to him. Such incidents can influence the already tense security situation in the stadium and show the challenges with which security forces are confronted.

In the VIP area of the stadium, there were also verbal clashes between two people. This escalation led both of the stadium to be expelled. One of the parties involved, a 49-year-old man, behaved so aggressively that he injured a police officer by kicking him in the face. This led to the man's immediate arrest. Such clashes throw a light on the darker sides of sporting events and the need for increased security measures.

violent clashes after the game

After the final whistle, there was a mutual assault behind the north curve under fans of Eintracht Braunschweig. An investigation was also initiated here. Such arguments are regrettable and show that despite the euphoric atmosphere, not all fans are willing to live the sport and the associated cohesion positively.

The police took over a mixed record of the evening. While the course of the event was mostly peaceful, the incidents show that tensions can always arise that present both fans and security forces with challenges. The use of pyrotechnics and the associated excursions to aggression raise fundamental questions about dealing with passion in football. The authorities are faced with the task of finding a balance between the security of everyone present and the opportunity for fans to support their teams passionately.

The future of football and fans

The events in Braunschweig could also be seen as a sign of the development of football in Germany. The problems arising from passionate support require a rethink in relation to fan culture and their influence on the games. It remains to be seen how clubs and associations react to such incidents and whether the security concepts adapt to ensure both security and the fun of the game.

fan protests and pyrotechnics in football

The use of pyrotechnics in football, as with the DFB Cup game between Eintracht Braunschweig and Eintracht Frankfurt, is a controversial topic. In Germany, the use of Bengalos and other pyrotechnic means is prohibited during football games because they can endanger both the security of the audience and those of the players. Pendants often see this as part of their culture and as a way to show passion and mood in the stadium.

DFL (German Football League) and the DFB (German Football Association) have taken measures in recent years to increase security and reduce the use of such means. These include harder punishments for clubs whose fans use pyrotechnics, as well as intensive controls in the stadium.

reactions of the authorities to fan power

The incidents during the game lead a light on the challenges with which police and security authorities are faced with football games. The police have increasingly focused on preventive measures and dialogues with the fans to prevent violent clashes. While the fan march for this event was mostly peaceful, the fact that there was resistance and attacks remains not to be mentioned in the reports.

In the current season, attention to fan power and security measures is particularly high, which is reflected in increased controls and a higher police force during games. Further actions to sensitize fans for the dangers of violence and pyrotechnics are planned to promote a peaceful stadium culture.

Statistical surveys for fan power

The statistics on fan power in German football show that the number of crimes indicated in connection with football games has fluctuated in recent years. According to the report "Fan violence and fan behavior in German football" by the DFL, there were a total of 1,644 registered crimes in the area of football games in the 20222/23 season, which corresponds to a slight decline compared to previous years. The police regularly lead statistics on incidents to take targeted measures and better understand fan culture.

In addition, surveys show that around 70% of football fans in Germany find the use of pyrotechnics dangerous, which reflects the splitting nature of this topic. Despite the legal and safety difficulties, there are a significant number of supporters who continue to support the use of fireworks during games, which further heats up the discussion about stadium culture.