1. FC Cologne
Nude checks? Fans leave before the derby in Leverkusen
12/13/2025 – 6:42 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Tough fan controls took place before 1. FC Cologne’s derby at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. More than 500 FC fans left before kick-off in protest.
Before the game between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and the 1. FC Cologne There was a scandal in front of the BayArena on Saturday evening. The Billy Goats’ active fan scene left the stadium area before the game began in the BayArena and traveled back to the cathedral city in protest.
From the supporters’ point of view, the reason was partly excessive checks by the police. The FC initially announced that the “checks this time were very intensive and, from the fans’ perspective, not appropriate.” Around 500 to 600 members of the active fan scene then left.
Numerous videos quickly circulated on social networks showing FC fans leaving the stadium. Allegations were also made that there had been “nude checks” to examine FC supporters for items they had brought with them. FC fans would also have had to hand in harmless tube scarves because they would have potentially posed a risk of masking. The temperatures were around 7 degrees in Leverkusen on Saturday evening.
According to a report by “Geissblog”, as a result of the measures, NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul was approached by several FC fans in the stadium before the game and asked for an explanation. He said he knew nothing about the intensive controls. Reul is an avowed fan of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Bayer boss Fernando Carro shared on Sky with: “This is a police measure. I think we should trust the police in our country.” Carro did not see Bayer 04 as being responsible for the measures. Regarding alleged nude checks, the FC said that the club could “neither confirm nor deny” these. The billy goats are in contact with the authorities and Leverkusen to demand answers.