Amateur football in Bremen – “There is a certain brutalization in our city”

Sports match day cancellation in Bremen

“There is a certain brutalization in our city”

Status: 09.03.2024 | Reading time: 2 minutes

Acts of violence in Bremen: Football is suspended in the Hanseatic city at the weekend

Quelle: dpa/Mohssen Assanimoghaddam

After the cancellation of an entire match day in the amateur sector, the president of the Bremen Football Association defended the consistent decision. They want to send a signal that the situation is alarming. There are areas in the Hanseatic city that are generally avoided.

The president of the Bremen Football Association (BFV) has defended the much-discussed decision to cancel an entire match day in Bremen from the D-youth to the men’s division this weekend due to numerous violent incidents in amateur football. “It is a sign, a warning, a raised finger. We as an association have no desire to organize a sport in which people are injured, threatened and feel uncomfortable,” said Patrick von Haacke to “Spiegel” (Saturday).

The BFV boss spoke of “at least three significant incidents of violence on our pitches” last weekend and sees this as a reflection of the conditions throughout Bremen. “There is a certain brutalization in our city, certain areas are avoided,” said von Haacke. “This is quickly reflected in an emotional sport that relies on contact.”

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In a Sky interview before the Bundesliga game between Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening, the football official also spoke of a broad understanding among the clubs for the association’s decision. It was received “very positively,” said von Haacke.

“Sure, some teams were a bit grumpy. When you’re on a run, you want to play. But overall, the understanding of the measure and the point that we want to say: ‘Hey, stop! Think! Stop acting like that!”

Kicks to the head

The association had previously explained its measure in a statement: “With the removal, the BFV is sending a clear signal against violence, hatred and discrimination in its leagues,” the letter said. “Last weekend a new, sad peak was reached in the quality of incidents on our sports fields. We are not prepared to accept this situation any further.”

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According to a statement, in one game a pack formed after a men’s game, during which, among other things, there were kicks in the head and someone pulled out a knife. According to a statement, in a C-youth game, three spectators ran onto the field and wanted to attack a player from the visiting team. During a senior game, the referee was attacked with threats of violence. National games are not affected by the gaming ban. The canceled games should be rescheduled later.