NOFV suspends players after Halle pitch storm

The North-East German Football Association has imposed the first penalties following the riots at the regional league match between Hallescher FC and Chemie Leipzig. At the request of the match management, proceedings were initiated against the clubs involved, according to a statement.

In addition, an HFC player was given a two-match ban and a fine of 750 euros. Pyrotechnics were set off at last Friday's match and there was also a pitch disturbance by some HFC supporters after the game.

Chemie players Valon Aliji and Phillipp Wendt are under investigation and Aliji has been suspended for an indefinite period. "The background to this is the strong suspicion of possible misconduct in connection with a spectator who had entered the pitch," said the NOFV, explaining the punishment.

The player has already been suspended for all matches before a verdict is reached. Chemie host Rot-Weiß Erfurt tonight and are not allowed to field Aliji.

Chemie lodges protest

The Leutzsch club condemned the "decision in the strongest terms", as the punishment was handed down "without describing to either the club or the player concerned exactly what the possible misconduct was supposed to consist of. This form and enforcement of a prior conviction is completely inappropriate, especially in this particular case," Chemie wrote in a press release.

Some HFC fans had sought a confrontation with Leipzig players. According to the club, the players had defended themselves against the attackers in an "extremely threatening situation, partly in self-defense or even emergency aid". They will now face sports court proceedings for this, it added.