Second division soccer team Hansa Rostock is taking serious consequences after some fans rioted at FC St. Pauli. Choreographies are banned, ticket quotas are cancelled. The fan scene is also reporting. The club’s image has been permanently damaged by the incidents.
Ban on choreography, video surveillance, use of a steward: Hansa Rostock draws the first consequences after the serious riots in the away game at FC St. Pauli (0: 1). In order to get the increasing violence and pyrotechnic actions of their own supporters under control, the second division football club has drawn up a comprehensive catalog of measures, which it has published on its website under the title “Quo Vadis, FC Hansa Rostock”. “Violence, vandalism, political provocations […] not only because of the recent events in St. Pauli, we are at a point where we have to ask ourselves whether we are still on the right course,” he said Association submitted its remarkable statement.
The club goes on the offensive. Because the recent events in the stands have permanently damaged the image of FC Hansa and are also becoming an increasing financial burden due to the fines from the DFB sports court. The club already has enough sporting problems, as it is in the middle of a relegation battle before the game on Sunday (1.30 p.m. / Sky) against Karlsruher SC.
As a consequence of the incidents in Hamburg, Hansa pronounces a ban on choreographies for the rest of the season. Until further notice, no work cards will be issued for the atmosphere blocks (south and block 9A). The club also canceled the fan club quotas for away games at 1. FC Magdeburg (April 2nd) and SC Paderborn (April 15th). Tickets are only sold to club members individually. “For the subsequent away games, individual fan clubs will receive group quotas on probation – provided there has not been any gross misconduct beforehand,” it said. Advance sales for the game on March 12 in Hanover were already closed.
In order to improve the tracking of criminal offenses and the identification of perpetrators, the association is examining with the Rostock police to expand the video technology in the Ostseestadion. A relocation of the guest block, which is directly adjacent to the south stand, is also being planned. At the same time, Hansa plans events to keep in touch with all fan groups and club committees. “The fan scene and members must be held accountable. I don’t take myself out of that either. Everyone who is actively involved must find answers now,” CEO Robert Marien said on NDR.
Apart from these measures, Hansa reaffirms its position as a non-political association. Background: Apparently right-wing fans had spread “Heil Hansa” and “Pomerania stays German” stickers at the Millerntor. “We will not allow ourselves to be pushed into the right or left corner, but will clearly distance ourselves from any actions in these directions and will unequivocally distance ourselves,” wrote Hansa.
The Rostock fan scene – an interest group of active Hansa fans – had already distanced itself from the riots at FC St. Pauli on Thursday evening. “The events have crossed borders, were just stupid and idiotic,” it said in a statement. “Such incidents not only damage our club, but also us as a fan base to a considerable extent. We regret that people were injured as a result of the actions and wish them a speedy recovery.”
All those involved must question themselves as to whether they are aware of the scope and consequences of their actions. “The acceptance of injuries to bystanders and the destruction of toilet facilities is not part of our fan culture,” it said. As a gesture, the Rostock fan scene will transfer a donation of 10,000 euros, which was earmarked for choreographies, to the club.
Hansa can really use any financial support. After the repeated misconduct of their supporters, the second division team, which is already leading the table of penalties in the second division with 179,280 euros this season, has to reckon with another six-figure penalty from the German Football Association (DFB). In addition, FC St. Pauli wants to charge the Rostockers for the damage to the sanitary facilities (a mid-range five-digit amount). “To put it very clearly: Physical violence, throwing objects, firecrackers, tracer rockets or pyro that leaves the hand and thus poses a risk to others are no-gos. Period,” emphasized Hansa in the message.
