Football fan stolen in Gelsenkirchen: scarf violently stolen!

Football fan stolen in Gelsenkirchen: scarf violently stolen!

An incident that shows the dark side of passion for football occurred last Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Gelsenkirchen-Altstadt. A 24-year-old football fan was the victim of a robbery there when his beloved fans' scarf was forcibly taken away from him at the bus station. What should have started as a friendly meeting between like-minded people ended in an argument between the fan and two perpetrators, aged 27 and 19, who asked him about his club affiliation.

The dramatic minutes began around 1 a.m. when the two men verbally abused the fan. As a result, a scuffle developed, which ultimately ended with the attackers taking the victim's scarf and running away. The unsettled fan then informed the police, who responded promptly.

Arrest and bizarre statements

The officers were initially able to locate the 27-year-old perpetrator, but without the stolen scarf. Hours later, around 5 a.m., the police found what they were looking for again and found the 27-year-old along with his 19-year-old accomplice. During a search, the fans' scarf was found in the 19-year-old's jacket, who then explained that it was "normal" for football fans to steal each other's scarves. This statement sheds significant light on the violent clashes that can be observed more and more often in the fan curves.

Similar incidents are not rare. Another example occurred on March 14, 2025, when a 32-year-old football fan was also attacked on Hibernia Street. Two unknown perpetrators demanded his Hannover 96 fan scarf and used violence. Here too, the victim escaped with minor injuries while the perpetrators fled in an unknown direction. Such attacks not only target material values; They also show how the willingness to use violence among football fans is increasing and is therefore a worrying phenomenon.

The worrying development in the fan curves

Over 70 social work fan projects in Germany are fighting for financial support and are under pressure. The political and social circumstances are worsening and many municipalities are cutting subsidies. Michael Gabriel, head of the fan project coordination office, warns of the consequences. They are often the first point of contact for young people to promote non-violent fan behavior and carry out prevention work. Although the DFB and DFL contribute to the financing, the withdrawals from the public sector are alarming.

The danger situation is accentuated by reports of increasing violence in the fan curves. There have recently been attacks on travel groups from other fan communities, which indicate a sudden escalation of violence. In one case, Energie Cottbus fans faced an attack by suspected Dynamo Dresden supporters. Such incidents not only prompt police to conduct raids; they also question the need for social and preventive measures that fan projects have to provide.

Overall, it is to be hoped that both the police and social actors will work together to steer football culture in a more peaceful direction. Last Sunday's incident could be a wake-up call showing the urgent need to address the causes of violence and strengthen preventive measures.

Developments in recent months give cause for concern that sportsmanship is sometimes being pushed into the background. It remains to be hoped that the joy of football and the solidarity within the fan communities are in the foreground and that such waves of attacks become a thing of the past.

Further information about the attack in Gelsenkirchen can be found here: LocalCompact and here: Picture. For a broader perspective on the situation in fan curves, check out this article: South German newspaper.