Behrens tightens stadium rules: fans demand dialogue instead of repression!

Behrens tightens stadium rules: fans demand dialogue instead of repression!

Braunschweig, Deutschland - In football, the passion of fans is undeniable, but in Lower Saxony the topics of security and violence prevention are currently in focus. In particular, the last derbies between Eintracht Braunschweig and Hannover 96 brought the problem of violent riots into the light, which are answered by strict measures by the Lower Saxony Interior Minister Daniela Behrens.

The minister, who is already perceived by fans as an enemy image, has been committed to a strict course since taking office. Instead of a dialogue with the fan groups, it relies on harder punishments and a package of measures that ranges from empty blocks in the stadium to a ban on certain materials. This strategy has already resulted in two derbies to be held in the exclusion of the public. At the last 223rd Interior Ministers' Conference, Behrens asked the associations to create a catalog of measures to act violence together with a central stadium ban on DFB and DFL.

joint initiative of clubs and police

But not only Behrens is active. The clubs Hannover 96 and Eintracht Braunschweig are working with the police on a concept to put a stop to the riot of Ultras. Behind this step are the riots at the Lower Saxony Sender in November 2023, the numerous police officers and folders. So you now meet the increasing violence with a project group that is intended to develop prevention strategies and process incidents in order to act against such rioting in good time.

For the first measures, those responsible for Hannover 96 and Eintracht Braunschweig have set themselves ambitious goals. They intend to develop an extensive catalog of measures in April 2024 by the next Lower Saxony endby, which should also include structural changes and improved inlet controls. The President of Eintracht Braunschweig, Nicole Kumpis, has also emphasized the importance of fan integration, while managing director of Hannover 96, Martin Kind, underlined the explosive violence in the stadium.

to be held responsible

With a view to the rising costs for police operations, which amounted to over one million euros around the last derby, Behrens plans that the clubs should be involved in these costs in the future, the conditions should not improve. Numerous police officers and folders suffered injuries during the violent riots. Eintracht managing director Benz commented in shocked after these incidents and spoke out against a coverage of the police costs by the association.

It is not just a topic in Lower Saxony that moves those responsible. The German Football Association (DFB) is also committed to violence prevention in football and has developed various measures. Under the program "Fair is more", the DFB bundles its approaches to extremism and violence prevention. It is about recognizing violence in football early on and counteracting them.

These developments show that there is a wide range of approaches that are working together with the fans, clubs and the police on a positive turn in football. It remains to be seen whether the measures will take effect and the stadiums become a place of passion and joy.

For the readers: The question now arises: How will the derby of feelings that have always been between Eintracht Braunschweig and Hannover 96 will look in the future? The fans are required for answers and opinions.