“I am very afraid that I will die” – serious allegations against Schalke 04

Stand: 12.05.2022 | Reading time: 2 minutes

Dhe FC Schalke 04 is examining statements from a fan about a possible lack of safety precautions when storming the pitch after promotion to the second division against 1. FC Pauli. The Gelsenkircheners had turned the game around after being 2-0 down at the break. After the 3:2 win, the Revierklub was confirmed as promoted to the Bundesliga. After the final whistle, there were chaotic cheering scenes, thousands of spectators stormed the pitch to celebrate the return to the top flight.

The spectator, Ralf Höfs, who said he was injured in the spontaneous ascent celebration, said “Bild”: “It was pure chaos. I was crushed and couldn’t breathe. I was very afraid that I would die.” Elderly people and children would have found themselves in a similar hopeless situation next to him. He yelled for help, but the security staff “just laughed their heads off.” I will never forget this dramatic situation in my life”.

The tram driver now wants to sue the security company for failure to provide assistance and also consider taking steps against Schalke 04: “I find it outrageous that Schalke is downplaying the situation like this. They want to cleverly sweep that under the carpet.”

The club has since responded and said it is “in contact with the fan concerned” and has “offered him any support he needs to process his experiences. The examination of his information” has already started.

“Too many people in the stands”

According to their own statements, the spectators were pushed onto the metal parapet of the north curve when the supporters stormed the field and passed out a little later. An unknown spectator pulled the unconscious man over the parapet into the stadium moat, where he received medical care. “It wasn’t my first time in the north stand – but in my opinion there were just too many people in the stands during this game,” said Höfs.

Schalke take on 1. FC Nürnberg on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The game is meaningless for the hosts, but Gelsenkirchen can still secure the championship trophy of the second division. They have a two-point lead over Werder Bremen, who are playing against Jahn Regensburg at the same time.

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