German league to respond to Berlin fiasco

(GSM) – The German Football League is looking to respond to unruly behaviour inside football stadia after a pitch invasion took places at the end of Hertha BSC’s 2-1 defeat at home to FC Nürnberg on Saturday.

Players and staff of both sides had to race to the dressing rooms after around 100 fans of the home team leapt over the perimeter fencing and onto the field at the conclusion of a tense Bundesliga relegation battle at the Olympia Stadion.

The Bundesliga would not like to be associated with scenes of fans armed with flag poles and covering their faces with scarves and hoods as Dr Reinhard Rauball, president of the German Football League (DFL) has promised to take immediate action.

“We are deeply affected by what we have seen in Berlin,” he said.

“We have made immediate contact with Hertha BSC Berlin. One thing is clear: hooligans do not have a place in football.

“The league authorities will therefore support the DFB’s (German Football Association) disciplinary committee with all its powers to ensure severe punishment is dealt out.

“Given the recent escalation of violent incidents, the board of the DFL will deal with the issue intensively in its next sitting to discuss a league-wide strategy.

“The aim is to improve security measures in the stadia and work together with fans. We will not tolerate hooligans.”

A minority of Berlin fans were unable to contain their anger at the end of a defeat which left the club staring relegation in the face.

A police dog unit eventually took control of the situation more than 10 minutes after the game between the two sides had ended.