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Kaiserslautern’s dramatic cup victory was overshadowed by fireworks, a pitch invasion and violence that left 35 police officers injured and 85 people needing treatment.
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A German Cup derby produced almost everything football never wants to see. Kaiserslautern defeated Waldhof Mannheim 1-0 after extra time, but the result became a secondary issue after chaos erupted inside the stadium.
The highly charged DFB-Pokal first-round tie ended with clashes between players, objects thrown from the stands, fireworks fired towards spectators, an attempted pitch invasion and a major police intervention.
The situation escalated at the end of regular time, with the score still 0-0. Kaiserslautern captain Marlon Ritter became involved in a confrontation with several Mannheim players near the corner of the pitch.
Objects were then thrown towards Ritter and the Kaiserslautern bench from the main stand. Supporters in the away section responded by firing pyrotechnic rockets towards the main stand, where families and children were also sitting.
Some Mannheim supporters then attempted to enter the pitch. Referee Robert Schröder stopped the match and sent the players back to their dressing rooms as police units moved onto the playing surface.
Riot officers and mounted police pushed the supporters back towards the home section. The match was close to being abandoned, but play eventually resumed after a delay of almost 30 minutes.
The police had deployed around 1,400 officers for a match classified as a high-risk event. Even that enormous security operation was unable to prevent scenes of serious disorder.
According to the official police report, 35 officers suffered injuries. The total included 33 members of the federal police and two officers from Baden-Württemberg.
A further 85 people required medical treatment, mainly because of smoke inhalation and the use of pepper spray. Eight people were taken to hospital, while several supporters were detained.
The authorities said the injuries treated at the hospital were believed to be minor. A fire also broke out later in the away section and had to be extinguished by firefighters.
Once the match resumed, Kaiserslautern secured their place in the second round in dramatic fashion. Ibrahim Kanaté scored the only goal in the 120th minute, curling a shot into the net from around 18 metres.
The football was soon overshadowed again by accusations from both clubs over who carried the greatest responsibility for the escalation.
Mannheim blame Kaiserslautern supporters and Ritter
Mannheim sporting director Mathias Schober argued that the rockets fired from the Kaiserslautern section were the main reason for the interruption.
“After the confrontation near the corner, where we tried to calm the situation, rockets were fired from the Kaiserslautern section towards our main stand. I believe that was the trigger for the match being suspended,” Schober told Sky Germany.
Schober acknowledged that objects had also been thrown from the Mannheim section, but accused Ritter of making the situation worse with his conduct.
“Ritter provoked people. When he walked towards his bench, he released his frustration in his own way. That does not excuse the cups being thrown, but I believe his behaviour was highly provocative,” he said.
“Near the end of the match, he wasted time at every corner and continued to provoke. We lost 1-0, but the way their number seven behaved was also unacceptable.”
Schober did not defend the Mannheim supporters who attempted to enter the pitch. He stressed that such behaviour had no place inside a football stadium.
Ritter dismisses Mannheim criticism
Ritter showed little concern over Schober’s comments and focused instead on Kaiserslautern’s victory.
“I do not care too much about it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If we had lost, perhaps I would also have said more,” Ritter responded.
“There were also comments coming from the Waldhof bench, but we do not care. We won, and that is what counts. We will be happy if this derby takes place again one day.”
Kaiserslautern admit responsibility on both sides
Kaiserslautern managing director Thomas Hengen refused to place all the blame on Mannheim. He condemned the conduct of both groups of supporters and admitted that he feared the match would not be completed.
“Many people were provoking each other. What happened in the stands was terrible, and it came from both sides,” Hengen said.
“A derby must never get out of control like this. It damages us, and it damages football. I have to praise the police for arriving so quickly and calming the situation. I did not expect that we would be able to finish the match.”
Hengen described the contest on the pitch as a fair derby despite the emotional confrontations. He also credited the police and match officials for preventing an even more serious outcome.
The German Football Association has announced that it will study the official reports before referring the incidents to its disciplinary bodies. Both clubs now face possible sanctions after one of the most disturbing German football matches in recent years.