Violence at the derby: KSC and FCK fans clash in the Wildpark Stadium!

Violence at the derby: KSC and FCK fans clash in the Wildpark Stadium!

A derby that was characterized by ups and downs: On October 18, 2025, the eagerly awaited second division derby between Karlsruher SC (KSC) and 1. FC Kaiserslautern (FCK) took place in the Wildpark Stadium in Karlsruhe. While the game itself was calm, there were heated arguments between the fan camps immediately after the final whistle.

About 15 minutes after the final whistle, chaos broke out in the stands. The KSC fans, who were provoked by the FCK supporters' celebration of the derby victory, got into fights with the FCK fans. Police and stewards quickly intervened to prevent major riots. While around 300 FCK fans remained in the stadium, some security staff injured themselves while trying to separate the rival fans. These incidents resulted in a range of criminal offenses including damage to property, resistance to state authority and bodily harm.

First consequences

Although initial information about arrests is available, the exact number remains unclear. However, the departure of the spectators was followed by an orderly scene without any further incidents. Interestingly, the arrival of fans before the game was quiet and there were no disruptions during the game. The police and KSC had appealed in advance to ensure that everything went peacefully. The strong police presence should help to consistently prosecute misconduct, regardless of club affiliation.

The Südwestderby is regularly classified as a “high-risk game”. This is not the first incident of this kind; There was already a serious police operation on May 4, 2025, which, according to fans and the club, got out of control. A conversation between the KSC and the police on May 14 was intended to prevent future incidents, but fan representatives expressed concern about the security situation at home games. In particular, the fan club “Blau-Weiss nicht Braun” criticized the police operation and called for an independent investigation into the events, which were described as a “new dimension of police violence”.

Increasing willingness to use violence

A look beyond the horizon shows that the violence in the football ranks in Germany is not unique. Insiders report a worrying fascination with violence in many fan groups and a shift to the right, which does not stop at many fan scenes that are considered left-wing. Social work fan projects are particularly hard hit, as they come under pressure due to cuts in municipal subsidies. Those responsible warn that the financing of these important projects is at risk, which in the long term could also increase the willingness to use violence among fans. Examples of incidents such as attacks on fan buses or special trains demonstrate the increasing aggressiveness in the fan scene.

In the context of these repeated incidents, it is to be hoped that discussions between fans, clubs and the police can lead to better cooperation. It is a clear appeal to everyone involved: Football should be a place of friendly cooperation, not violence.

Tagesschau reports about the arguments during ka-news which takes up criticism of police work. Also illuminate South Germans the general development of violence in the fan curves.