Injuries and Riots Spoil Rostock Win Against Dresden | OneFootball

Pre-game tensions spilled over into the stands as a capacity crowd of 29,000 filled the Ostseestadion for Hansa Rostock versus Dynamo Dresden in the third division of German football yesterday. Rostock ran out 1-0 winners but the game will be remembered for off-field trouble.

With both sides launching fireworks towards each other and clashes in the stands, the match was interrupted for almost half an hour until the police intervened as dozens of people were injured in serious riots.

Only two months ago, Hansa Rostock were hit with a €5,000 fine following another incident against Dynamo Dresden, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

A controversial banner was unfurled in the guest block with the message: “Recommended diversion to the other bank: Dresden sucks Poland’s c*ck for the next alliance.”

The DFB (German Football Association) condemned the banner as unsportsmanlike conduct, deeming the language obscene and provocatively insulting.

The DFB sports court stated:

“Such banners represent unsportsmanlike conduct. They are at least obscenely offensive and provocatively insulting… and therefore particularly reprehensible.”

The statement proved prophetic as the banner escalated tensions between the rival fans.

On Saturday, the Rostock police headquarters reported that a total of 13 officers and five stadium employees were injured in an attack on the catering area for visiting fans.

A further 33 people were treated by paramedics in the stadium.

The situation escalated during half-time as fireworks were initially fired from the Rostock fans at players and Dresden fans.

In response, Dynamo supporters destroyed a partition as they tried to gain access into the Hansa end.

Police said that they were forced to intervene for safety concerns:

“In order to prevent violent attacks, forces were immediately deployed in the area in question in cooperation between state and federal police and the situation was brought under control.”

Dresden fans subsequently clashed with police as a banner was removed.

The supporters responded by throwing fireworks at the police.

Dynamo captain, Stefan Kutschke tried to mediate, but was prevented by stewards.

Players and officials soon got involved, which resulted in another scuffle.

The spectators were asked over the stadium loudspeakers to refrain from any further provocations and the match was threatened with immediate abandonment in the event of further disorder.

After the break, play continued and Hansa won the match 1-0, holding on to an 11th goal by Nils Fröling.

The win lifts Rostock to seventh in 3. Liga, still seven points behind Dresden in second.

Disorder continued outside the stadium as the police reported other alleged crimes, including property damage, coercion in traffic, violation of the Explosives Act and violation of the Weapons Act.

Rostock and Dresden have a long history of rivalry and disorder so this will have come as no surprise to German fans and police, but this will have added fire to the flames.

GGFN | Oscar O’Mara