Police violence in Leipzig: Scandalous attacks on St. Pauli fans!

Police violence in Leipzig: Scandalous attacks on St. Pauli fans!

A dark shadow lies over the football match between RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli on February 9, 2025. A current report from the umbrella organization for fan aid reports massive police attacks on FC St. Pauli fans during this game. This is one of three incidents recorded in the annual report, which covers a total of 24 games. It is striking that RB Leipzig, despite its rather small number of ultra-affine supporters, is becoming the focus of police criticism.

Around 800 FC St. Pauli supporters traveled from Hamburg to Leipzig on a special train to support their team. The mood on this train was one of anticipation and relaxation. But the fans' good mood was suddenly disrupted when they arrived at Leipzig Central Station. Here they were greeted not only by the cold weather, but also by a massive police presence, including the so-called “Evidence Preservation and Arrest Units” (BFE). This aggressive display of police power caused an immediate shift in mood, one of unease and fear. This is also reflected in the reports from eyewitnesses who document that the police pushed, threatened and randomly beat fans on the platform.

Provocations and escalation

The journey of the St. Pauli supporters became more and more of a thrilling affair. The police cordoned off three of the four exits to the station, causing congestion and further escalation. Despite the tense situation, the fans behaved calmly and tried to de-escalate the situation. But the police's aggressive measures continued. During admission checks at the stadium, several fans were brutally knocked to the ground, and bystanders were also injured, including children. Some suffered injuries caused by the use of pain holds and physical force.

Another report from FC St. Pauli describes the police operation on match day as “escalative and aggressive”. There are even reports of targeted blows to the face, while the police actively prevented documentation of the incidents. Cell phones were knocked down and communications from officers were largely limited to offensive language. Affected fans complain about disproportionate violence that was used for no apparent reason. The FC St. Pauli fan aid organization describes the operations as “escalating and illegal” and calls for a comprehensive clarification from Saxon politicians.

Conclusion and outlook

The incidents surrounding the game between RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli cast a shadow on German football and the role of the police in dealing with fans. The reports make it clear that there is an urgent need for action here. Fan support and fans are not only demanding an explanation of what happened, but also a rethinking of police work at sporting events. It remains to be seen whether and how Saxon politics will respond to these demands.

For further details and information, see the reports from RBLive and BraunWeißeHilfe can be viewed.