Under Seeler’s commemorative banner, HSV fans indulge in homophobic derailments
It was an emotional game in Hamburg. After Uwe Seeler’s death, more than 50,000 fans commemorate the club legend. But some viewers afford a homophobic derailment. HSV distanced itself immediately.
Dhe game against Hansa Rostock was all about commemorating Uwe Seeler, who died last Thursday at the age of 85. Most fans in Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion were dressed in black. The HSV professionals showed up to warm up in black shirts with a photo of the jubilant Seeler on the chest and his number 9 on the back. The team members also wore the shirt on the bench during the game.
The Hamburg fans commemorate the deceased HSV legend Uwe Seeler
Quelle: Getty Images/Martin Rose
With two banners, the fans on the north stand remembered the club legend, who had scored around 1,400 goals in almost 1,300 games for HSV since youth: “Loyal and modest – the greatest of all time” and “RIP Uwe Seeler”. The north stand then formed the name “Uns Uwe” in white in a sea of black cardboard.
Hamburg coach Tim Walter
Source: dpa/Marcus Brandt
The 0:1 against Rostock became a minor matter that afternoon. “It was a special game. It wasn’t about football, it was about paying tribute to the great Uwe,” said Hamburg coach Tim Walter.
HSV distances itself from the tasteless banner
His team played in a special jersey. Not the main sponsor was on the chest, but the lettering “UNS UWE”, the left sleeve of the jerseys adorned Seeler’s former shirt number 9. “This straightforwardness, the honesty, the loyalty, the identification with the club, I stand behind it 100 percent “said HSV sports director Jonas Boldt.
But some fans in the stands abused the atmospheric commemoration of Seeler. They unfurled a homophobic banner during the game that read: “All MV is gay, especially the Hansa Hool”.
The club immediately condemned the display of the anti-gay banner. “We clearly distance ourselves from discriminatory content. Discrimination has no place in the Volksparkstadion and at HSV,” HSV tweeted.
