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Soccer

BUNDESLIGA

Dortmund apologise to Leipzig over fans' violence

Borussia Dortmund's CEO and president met their RB Leipzig counterparts on Thursday to apologise for last weekend's violent attacks by hooligans as police say they have started prosecuting the culprits.

AFP
Supporters of Dortmund displaying banners prior to the German First division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig
SASCHA SCHUERMANNAFP

Borussia Dortmund's CEO and president met their RB Leipzig counterparts on Thursday to apologise for last weekend's violent attacks by hooligans as police say they have started prosecuting the culprits.

Dortmund police have reportedly started criminal proceedings in 32 cases after violent attacks broke out before last Saturday's German league match when hooligans set upon Leipzig fans, including women and children.

Supporters of Dortmund shows banners against violence following last weekends' scenes ahead of the match against Leipzig during the German Cup DFB Pokal round of 16 football match BVB Borussia Dortmund v Hertha Berlin
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Supporters of Dortmund shows banners against violence following last weekends' scenes ahead of the match against Leipzig during the German Cup DFB Pokal round of 16 football match BVB Borussia Dortmund v Hertha BerlinSASCHA SCHUERMANNAFP

14 injured in attacks

During the attacks, four police officers and 10 visiting fans were injured, but the levels of hatred aimed at RB and their fans have shocked Germany's football community.

Around 60 banners, many bearing insulting slogans aimed at Leipzig, were displayed by Dortmund fans inside the stadium.

Dortmund captain Marcel Schmelzer condemned the violence in a video message to fans at their stadium before Wednesday's German Cup win over Hertha Berlin.

Now CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke and president Reinhard Rauball have apologised in person.

RB Leipzig's sports director Ralf Rangnick watches the match among Leipzig fans
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RB Leipzig's sports director Ralf Rangnick watches the match among Leipzig fansWOLFGANG RATTAYREUTERS

No rivalry justifies slurs

"They stressed that no sporting or emotional rivalry justified either the verbal slurs and banners personally attacking Leipzig club officials or the violence towards RB Leipzig fans," read a joint statement from the clubs.

"Rauball and Watzke assured RB executives that Borussia Dortmund began investigating the incidents and identifying culprits immediately after the game and have co-operated very closely with police.

"They will, of course, keep RB updated of any developments and will bring together those responsible for the safety of spectators in order to establish how the situation could have escalated as it did.

"Representatives from both clubs agree that the goal must be to find a solution which ensures the events of last Saturday are not repeated in the future."

Dortmund's Dembele vies with Leipzig's Rani Khedira during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig
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Dortmund's Dembele vies with Leipzig's Rani Khedira during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and RB LeipzigFRIEDEMANN VOGELEFE

Dortmund on probation

Dortmund can expect to be heavily punished when the German Football Association complete their investigation.

Borussia are already on probation after fans rioted following their German Cup final defeat to Bayern Munich on penalties last May in Berlin and were fined €75,000.