Uproar in the 3rd league
Police temporarily arrest Fan after throwing firecrackers
March 5, 2026 – 9:06 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
While the police report a successful search, Essen’s goalkeeper Felix Wienand suffers a blast and is out for the time being. However, his club decided not to object.
After the alleged firecracker was thrown against goalkeeper Felix Wienand from the third division soccer team Rot-Weiss Essen in the game against Waldhof Mannheim on Wednesday, the Essen police identified the perpetrator and temporarily arrested him. As a police spokesman confirmed to SWR, the 50-year-old man from Ludwigshafen was recognized through video images immediately after the crime and was picked up outside the stadium.
The man was released after police measures were completed. He is being investigated for grievous bodily harm and causing an explosive explosion.
The control committee of the German Football Association (DFB) has also initiated an investigation and asked the Mannheim team to comment. They in turn condemned the action in which Essen’s Wienand suffered a blast.
The incident occurred in the 53rd minute. Wienand fell to his knees in his penalty area in front of the Mannheim fan block after a loud bang, covered his ears and was led into the dressing room in a daze. Coach Uwe Koschinat said after the game: “He’s really not feeling well.”
Referee Lennart Kernchen interrupted the game for 45 minutes when the score was 1-0 for Essen. Essen’s substitute goalkeeper Tino Casali then came into play for Wienand.
On Thursday, Essen announced that Wienand was initially “not fit to play due to a blast trauma, accompanied by significant hearing loss.” The goalkeeper was taken to hospital after the game and was examined by an ear, nose and throat specialist on Thursday morning. He remains under medical care and is currently unable to take part in games or training.
“A game on Saturday in the game against TSG Hoffenheim II is out of the question,” it says. After “intensive consideration,” the club decided not to lodge a protest against the game ranking. Essen won the game 1-0.
