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A flare fired by Marseille fans explodes at the Eintracht fan block
Photo:
Daniel Cole/AP
A German fan was seriously injured in the away game of Bundesliga soccer club Eintracht Frankfurt in Marseille, southern France.
"He's in the hospital," said Philipp Reschke, board member of Eintracht Frankfurt.
“We don't know why he's injured relatively seriously.
But he's stable and out of danger."
According to the police, the fan was hit by a smoke grenade during the game against Olympique Marseille.
17 people were taken into custody on the sidelines of the game during the day, according to the local prefecture.
Around a thousand emergency services had been mobilized for the game, which was considered risky.
In fact, Eintracht's 1-0 lead - and their first win in a Champions League game - faded into the background given the circumstances in the stands at the Stade Velodrome.
"It was the feared state of emergency," said Reschke.
"We have never experienced such a day in this form and did not think it possible in this way." Real joy does not want to arise, "because it is very strange what level of aggressiveness and hatred we faced and of course also on reactions met«.
Reschke announced: "We have to cleanly work it up piece by piece."
There were a lot of perpetrators on both sides, but significantly more from the ranks of the hosts, said Reschke.
"This is not an apology and is not intended to protect anyone who has responded in kind."
That's what coaches and captains say
Coach Oliver Glasner also condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms.
"That simply does not work.
A couple of chaotic people abuse the football stage to act out violence and aggression.
We all have zero understanding for that," said the 48-year-old Austrian.
"If you start throwing firecrackers back and forth with your neighbor, you might end up in jail eventually.
Therefore, nothing is lost here.
There are no two opinions.«
It sounded similar with the Eintracht professionals.
"Such scenes have nothing to do with a Champions League game," said Captain Sebastian Rode.
And national goalkeeper Kevin Trapp stated: "It's a shame that it turned out that way."
For Eintracht, however, the incidents in southern France could have consequences beyond the game.
After storming the pitch in the home game against West Ham United, in which the Frankfurt team managed to reach the Europa League final, Uefa imposed a fine of 80,000 euros.
In addition, the European Football Association had sanctioned Eintracht with a ghost game that was suspended for two years.
The SBU is threatened with being excluded from the audience for the next offense.
aar/dpa/sid
