Fans storm the pitch – hunting scenes at the game Dresden against Hertha BSC

The events in the top second division game between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha BSC triggered shocked reactions and are seen as a setback in the fight to preserve fan culture and stadium security. “Our home games are known for a unique atmosphere. Images like the ones we saw this evening are unacceptable and are massively damaging not only to our club, but to all of football in Germany,” said Dynamo’s managing director Stephan Zimmermann in a statement from the club after the 0-1 loss against the Berliners.

Zimmermann explained that he and numerous other clubs have been lobbying politicians “for months for fan interests and a safe stadium experience”. “Such scenes are an absolute blow to the office,” he emphasized. During the encounter, with two interruptions, those responsible for the Dynamo spoke to the senior police forces “in order to exchange initial findings through communication. These perceptions and observations are now part of the fundamental processing,” it said in the statement.

During the top game under floodlights, pyrotechnics were initially ignited from both fan camps. Afterwards, supporters of both teams climbed over the fences. Dresden supporters ran masked along the pitch to the Hertha fan block. There was a brief encounter between the two fan groups, during which pyrotechnics were used as projectiles. Referee Sven Jablonski had to interrupt the second division match a second time and sent the teams to the dressing room after the riots. Police then pushed the Dynamo supporters back into their block. A Hertha flag was burned down there.

“We must and will evaluate this evening in detail and would like to sincerely apologize to all bystanders who were drawn into such unnecessary actions,” said Zimmermann. Dynamo head coach Thomas Stamm was visibly disappointed by the events.

Precisely because the spectators in the stadium had previously remembered the late honorary captain Hans-Jürgen Kreische with dignity and with full respect. “Sport should have been in the foreground today, in my opinion it wasn’t and what’s even worse is that if you see the initial phase with a minute of mourning, with a lot of respect from the Hertha fans – no one gave a damn – then unfortunately other things are in the foreground afterwards that have no place in football,” said Stamm at the press conference.