Pyrotechnics Scandal at Bayern Match: New Details Cause a Stir | OneFootball

The Bayern women’s Champions League opener against Manchester City was marred by a pyrotechnics incident. During the match at Sportpark Unterhaching, burning flares landed on the field. What makes this particularly controversial is that the pyrotechnics are said to have been thrown from outside the stadium.

According to information from BILD, Ultras from SpVgg Unterhaching are believed to have been responsible for the incident. Reportedly, the flares were thrown toward the field from the adjacent beer garden.

The incident occurred, of all times, during the Bayern Women’s competitive debut at their new home. 4,291 spectators had gathered at the Sportpark, which FC Bayern had acquired in December 2025 for more than 7.5 million euros.

A burning flare lies on the field near the City goal

The situation immediately before halftime sparked particular controversy. At that point, Bayern led 2–0 thanks to a goal by Giulia Gwinn and an own goal by Kerstin Casparij.

In the 45th minute, Beth Mead scored a goal for Manchester City to narrow the gap. During the attack, however, a burning flare was lying on the field in Bayern’s half. The referee allowed play to continue nonetheless and awarded the goal, making the score 2–1.

This decision was met with bewilderment by the Munich players. Bayern director Bianca Rech criticized the call during halftime: “In my opinion, the referee should have stopped the game. The pyrotechnic had been on the field for a while.”

As a result, the outcome of the match took a back seat, at least for a time. After the break, Bayern goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic initially saved a penalty kick by Khadija Shaw. Shortly before the end, however, Carlotta Wamser scored the goal that tied the match at 2–2.

Talks with Haching ultras had already taken place before Bayern’s takeover

The alleged background to the pyrotechnics incident adds an extra layer of tension. With FC Bayern’s takeover of the Sportpark, the use of Haching’s long-standing home stadium has changed.

Haching President Manfred Schwabl had already hinted after the sale that this had not gone entirely smoothly among SpVgg’s active fan base. “Well, at the beginning there was certainly something to discuss with our ultras. But we’ll work that out,” the 60-year-old explained at the time.

Whether SpVgg Unterhaching supporters were actually responsible for throwing the flares has not yet been conclusively determined. BILD explicitly refers to a suspected connection.

For FC Bayern, however, the incident is an unpleasant side note to the debut at the new home of its women’s team. Instead of focusing exclusively on a dramatic Champions League evening, the question of how to prevent similar actions from outside the stadium in the future is now likely to come into play.