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Behrens tightens stadium rules: fans demand dialogue instead of repression!
Lower Saxony is discussing new security measures for football games. Interior Minister Behrens is calling for tougher penalties against fan riots.
Behrens tightens stadium rules: fans demand dialogue instead of repression!
The passion of fans in football is undeniable, but in Lower Saxony the focus is currently on the topics of security and violence prevention. The last derbies between Eintracht Braunschweig and Hannover 96 in particular brought to light the problem of violent riots, which Lower Saxony's Interior Minister Daniela Behrens responded to with strict measures.
The minister, who is already perceived by fans as an enemy, has committed herself to a strict course since taking office. Instead of a dialogue with the fan groups, she is relying on harsher penalties and a package of measures that range from empty blocks in the stadium to a ban on certain materials. This strategy has already resulted in two derbies having to be played behind closed doors. At the recent 223rd Conference of Interior Ministers, Behrens called on the clubs to draw up a catalog of measures to raise awareness of violence together with a central stadium ban commission from the DFB and DFL.
Joint initiative between clubs and the police
But it's not just Behrens who is active. The clubs Hannover 96 and Eintracht Braunschweig are working with the police on a concept to put a stop to the ultras' riots. Behind this step are the riots at the Niedersachsensenderby in November 2023, which affected numerous police officers and stewards. The increasing violence is now being countered with a project group that is supposed to develop prevention strategies and process incidents in order to take timely action against such riots.
Those responsible at Hannover 96 and Eintracht Braunschweig have set themselves ambitious goals for the first measures. They intend to develop a comprehensive catalog of measures by the next Niedersachsensenderby in April 2024, which will also include structural changes and improved entry controls. The President of Eintracht Braunschweig, Nicole Kumpis, also emphasized the importance of fan involvement, while Managing Director of Hannover 96, Martin Kind, underlined the explosiveness of the issue of violence in the stadium.
Be held accountable
In view of the increasing costs for police operations, which amounted to over one million euros around the last derby, Behrens plans that the clubs should share in these costs in the future if the conditions do not improve. Numerous police officers and stewards suffered injuries during the violent riots. Eintracht managing director Benz expressed shock after these incidents and spoke out against the club covering police costs.
It is not just an issue in Lower Saxony that concerns those responsible. The German Football Association (DFB) is also committed to preventing violence in football and has developed various measures. The DFB bundles its approaches to preventing extremism and violence under the “Fair is more” program. The aim is to recognize violence in football at an early stage and counteract it.
These developments show that there is a wide range of approaches that work together with fans, clubs and the police to bring about a positive change in football. It remains to be seen whether the measures will take effect and the stadiums will become a place of passion and joy again.
The question now arises for readers in Lower Saxony: What will the derby of emotions that has always prevailed between Eintracht Braunschweig and Hannover 96 look like in the future? Fans are asked for answers and opinions.