In a prelude to the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart, violent clashes broke out between law enforcement and Eintracht Frankfurt supporters. The confrontation, which left around 50 officers injured, began approximately 45 minutes prior to kick-off.
Tensions escalated when fans expressed discontent with a police check at the stadium entrance designated for the club’s ultras. The situation quickly devolved as supporters hurled “bottles, pyrotechnics, and heavy iron bars” at the police, prompting a response involving physical force, pepper spray, and truncheons.
Four officers sustained injuries requiring hospitalization, and additional staff within the stadium were also harmed during the clashes. Several suspects were subsequently arrested in connection to the incidents.
In a show of protest, numerous ultras refrained from occupying their designated sections in the stands. The ramifications of the confrontations were felt on the field, as Eintracht Frankfurt ultimately suffered a 2-1 defeat to Stuttgart. The incidents have raised concerns about fan behavior and security measures at football matches.