Gelsenkirchen. The Gelsenkirchen police are addressing the S04 fans before the Schalke game against 1. FC Köln. And they are using clear words.
A few days before the second division match between FC Schalke 04 and 1. FC Cologne (Sunday, 1:30 p.m./Sky) the Gelsenkirchen police wrote a letter to both fan groups. It is a high-risk game, and there have been frequent riots between supporters of the clubs in the past. “Hatred, riots and violence have no place in sport,” wrote the police.
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These have happened more frequently recently, even when the two teams had not met. For example, on November 25, 2023. Schalke played in Düsseldorf that day, and according to police, “20 masked fans” of the two clubs attacked each other at Düsseldorf Central Station. A police spokesman said: “A supporter of 1. FC Köln tried to steal a fan scarf from a Schalke player. The player defended himself and hit the Cologne player over the head with a bottle.”
Schalke against Cologne – a game with a fan riot history
In January 2019, there were riots on the sidelines of a friendly match in Cologne. Around 300 fans of both clubs met in the city center and fought, according to the police at the time. One fan’s life was in danger. In February 2023, according to fans, supporters from Cologne, Dortmund and Essen intercepted fan buses of the “Ultras Gelsenkirchen” before they left for the game at Union Berlin. There was a wild brawl, as several internet videos show.
Why Cologne is a benchmark game for Schalke
Parts of the Cologne fan scene have good contacts with supporters of Schalke’s rivals Borussia Dortmund and Rot-Weiss Essen. The police are aware of this too. They are asking all fans to “arrive in good time” on Sunday. The police advised Cologne fans who are arriving by train to “get on the buses provided immediately at the train station, which will take them directly to the stadium.” After the game, there will be a transfer back to the main train station.
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However, the police threatened to ban people from entering the stadium and impose bans, for example if pyrotechnics are set off. “Carrying and setting off pyrotechnics of any kind is prohibited. This ban applies not only in the stadium, but in all public spaces,” they wrote in the letter. A violation would usually lead to “a ban on entering the stadium.”
Schalke: Police threaten to ban stadium entry if riots occur
In the event of fights between individuals and groups, the police will “take appropriate action and justify criminal charges.” This could lead to “entering the stadium” being prohibited. If necessary, the police would suggest a stadium ban for future matches of the host club.
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