Essen – Since Friday, four Schalke fans have been in front of the Essen district court for dangerous bodily harm. They are accused of fatally injuring a Manchester City fan in a Champions League game three years ago.
It was the bad end of a CL round of 16 in the Veltins Arena Gelsenkirchen. On February 20, 2019, British ManCity fan Paul W. (32) was with family members at a kiosk in the circulation zone in the stadium. From there he watched the final minutes of the game on a screen. Shortly after Schalke had conceded the 3:2, he was suddenly hit in the head with a fist and he fell to the ground.
The targeted blow is said to have come from the main defendant Jens H. (33). The victim suffered severe brain injuries, underwent emergency surgery and was in an artificial coma for weeks.
Jens H., an experienced martial artist, did not want to comment on the allegations on Friday. But he was ready to do so on the next day of the hearing, said his defense attorney Wolfgang Heer. He had already paid the victim a sum of 10,000 euros in compensation for pain and suffering.
In addition to Jens H., three other men are accused: Ben P. (30), Dieter S. (48) and Maik F. (45).
The victim Paul W. (32) could not explain the attack on him. However, the indictment states that the Brit is said to have previously provoked the Schalke fans. After the 3:2 for his team, he showed both middle fingers in the direction of the Schalke fans.
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His father and sister were also attacked as a result. The woman suffered a bleeding laceration on her mouth that had to be sewn, for which Maik F. (45) from Gelsenkirchen was responsible.
“He’s ashamed of it. It’s not his style, because he’s not otherwise violent and he doesn’t belong to any scene,” says his defense attorney Burkhard Benecken.
The process continues.
