By Daniela Path, Tim Thorer, Ole Kröning and Timo Beurich
After the final whistle, the violence escalated! A youth (15) from Berlin was beaten into a coma at a soccer tournament on the Pentecost weekend. The attack occurred at the Germany Cup in Frankfurt am Main. The alleged perpetrator was arrested. It’s a 16-year-old French guy.
According to BZ information, the 15-year-old player of the B-Jugend of JFC Berlin e. V. in acute danger of death. He suffered severe brain injuries and is in a coma. His family is with him.
It is said that only machines would keep him alive.
On Pentecost Sunday, after the semi-finals of the international youth football tournament, there was a mass brawl on the pitch of SV Viktoria Preußen 07 in Frankfurt-Eckenheim. The Berliners had beaten the youth academy of FC Metz 1-0. Spectators report that the atmosphere was already aggressive during the game.
In the subsequent brawl, the 16-year-old from the French team is said to have hit the Berliner in the head or neck.
“According to current knowledge, around 4:10 p.m., after the final whistle of a football game, there was a tumult between the players, which escalated into a fight between the players,” said a Frankfurt police spokesman for the BZ Consequence requiring resuscitation. The alarmed rescue workers immediately took the youth to a nearby hospital.”
The incident caused consternation across national borders among clubs and football associations. FC Metz said: “The entire FC Metz is deeply shocked by this tragedy and is thinking of the young player, his family and loved ones.”
The French club explained that the accused player was questioned. He denies having intentionally harmed the 15-year-old. FC Metz wants to support the investigations of the German authorities with all parents and players present at the incidents.
The Berlin Football Association (BFV) was also shocked, BFV President Bernd Schultz: “We were stunned by the news about what happened at the youth tournament in Frankfurt am Main. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to all of the affected player’s family and team members at this difficult time. We have been in close contact with JFC Berlin since Sunday to support the club and its members wherever possible.
The police are looking for witnesses. Notes to: 069-755-51199.