Originally there was a sigh of relief in Graz. Originally it was said that the… infamous fans of Red Star Belgrade are blocked for the next away game.
Against Sturm: Serbian fans are allowed into the stadium
This will take place today in the Liebenauer Stadium – hosted by Storm Graz (6:45 p.m., live Hello TV, Sky). Now they can come to the Europa League game. This was decided by the European Football Association UEFA. And in Graz people don’t have much fun with it.
A few weeks ago, UEFA punished Red Star Belgrade with a fan ban for the next European away game against Sturm Graz and a fine of 62,500 euros. reason were renewed riots at the game in Braga (2-0 for the Portuguese), which brought into force the suspended sentence imposed in January 2025. According to UEFA, their behavior was discriminatory. Now everything is different.
Nationalist and violent
See the fans of the Serbian champions the club as Symbol of Serbian identity and Orthodox faith, and maintain one on top of that close proximity to Russia. She are considered extremely nationalistic and violent – often accompanied by massive pyrotechnics.
That’s why the alarm bells are now ringing in Graz. Because 4,000 Red Star fans have arrived, although only around 1,500 are allowed into the stadium. “We were already active with several hundred emergency services at the Graz Derby on Sunday and will continue to expand the staff,” says Fritz Grundnigpress spokesman for the Styria State Police Directorate.
Security area around the stadium
How are the police preparing? “Our main focus is on the area around the stadium. But we will also expand into the city center, including restaurants that are well-known among fans.” The Advent markets would also be an important focal point. Of course there is another one in the vicinity of the stadium Security area.
Even if the club is called Red Star, the fans won’t come from heaven. “It is one individual arrival“, says Grundnig. “The fans come in buses, but also by train. We should not forget that we also have a strong Serbian population community exists.”
Then the actual number of guest fans cannot yet be predicted.