After Dresden soccer riots: Pressure on clubs increases

Following the soccer riots in Dresden, more and more people are calling for consequences for the clubs. "Consistent stadium bans, clear conditions and decisive action against violent groups must become a matter of course. Clubs have a responsibility here - and they must live up to it," explained BSW internal affairs politician Bernd Rudolph from Saxony in Dresden.

The massive riots surrounding Dynamo Dresden's match against Hertha BSC showed once again that "parts of the fan scene are deliberately escalating and accepting violence", explained the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance in the Saxon state parliament. The investigations initiated by the police and the German Football Association were necessary, but should not remain the only signal.

"Not fan culture, but organized violence"

"What we experienced in Dresden is not fan culture, but organized violence. Anyone who acts in this way is abandoning the rule of law," emphasized Rudolph. Once again, the impression was created "that people have come to terms with problematic parts of the fan scene. This is precisely where a clear and permanent demarcation is finally needed. Looking away or appeasing exacerbates the problem."

The consequences of the escalation would primarily affect the police and the public, emphasized Rudolph: "Hundreds of emergency services, support from other federal states, considerable costs - and all this to control situations that could have been avoided. This cannot be the norm in the long term."

Financial participation by clubs should no longer be taboo

Rudolph pointed out that financial participation by clubs in Saxony has not yet been an issue. "This should not be the first step. But in view of such developments, even this debate should no longer be taboo if other measures don't work."

"The vast majority of fans want peaceful soccer. They have a right to expect the state to act consistently - and for clubs to do everything they can to eliminate violence from their ranks. Zero tolerance towards violence must finally become a reality."

What happened

Rioting broke out at the second division match between Dresden and Hertha last Saturday, with both fan camps involved. First, pyrotechnics were set off. Fans then climbed over the fences and attacked each other inside the stadium. The match had to be interrupted twice. Police officers tried to get the incident under control and separate the two camps. The police initiated more than a dozen investigations.

Saxony's Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) strongly condemned the riots. He said, among other things, that there could be no more pardon and that his patience had come to an end. The incidents were symbolic of "violent folklore" in German soccer stadiums and called into question the entire negotiation process with the German Football Association (DFB) and the German Football League (DFL).