In the game between Rot-Weiss Essen and SV Waldhof Mannheim, a firecracker from the Mannheim fan block injured RWE keeper Felix Wienand. The police have identified a 50-year-old suspect.
The firecracker thrower was a 50-year-old German from Ludwigshafen am Rhein, as René Bäuml, press spokesman for the Essen police, said in an interview with SWR Sport on Thursday morning. Emergency services identified the man through video surveillance immediately after the crime, then found him outside the stadium and took him to a police station. Videos circulating on social networks showed Waldhof fans pushing the man out of the block.
Investigation due to dangerous Assault
The 50-year-old is now being investigated for grievous bodily harm and violating the Explosives Act. Since there is no risk of escape, concealment or repetition, the suspect was not arrested but released. What punishment he faces will be decided in court after the investigation is completed.
The DFB – responsible for the game operations in the 3rd league – also reacted and said on request: “After receiving the special report from the referee and the security observer, the DFB control committee initiated an investigation and asked the clubs to comment. Once the comments have been received, a decision will be made on the further course of the procedure.”
Waldhof Mannheim speaks of “a single firecracker being fired”
SV Waldhof Mannheim reacted with a statement in the afternoon. “First of all, it is important to us to wish Felix Wienand a good and quick recovery. Firecracker detonations have no place in the football stadium,” says a press release. It was “a single firecracker being set off in the last row of the visitors’ stand,” not “a gunfire being thrown onto the field.” That’s what came from looking at the pictures. Regardless of this, the association expressly condemns “any form of improper handling of pyrotechnics and especially firecrackers.” The events would be dealt with.
Red and white food contradicts
According to a press release on Thursday afternoon, Rot-Weiss Essen “noticed the statement with incomprehension”. It also states that Wienand was examined by an ear, nose and throat specialist on Thursday morning, is still under medical care and is currently unable to train or play. “A game on Saturday in the game against TSG Hoffenheim II is out of the question.”
What’s next for SV Waldhof Mannheim?
It is likely that the sports jurisdiction of the German Football Association will deal with this case. A DFB spokesman confirmed this to SWR Sport. This may take a few days. After various preliminary investigations, the respective clubs are given a deadline to respond.
The club is likely to face a hefty fine. The Kurpfälzer are considered repeat offenders by the DFB and are in third place in the current penalty table behind Hansa Rostock and Rot-Weiss Essen (103,400 euros).
Game interruption because of Firecracker detonation
It was initially reported that in In the 55th minute, a firecracker was said to have been thrown from the Mannheim fan block towards the Essen penalty area. It is said to have detonated near RWE keeper Felix Wienand. The 23-year-old was taken to hospital after lengthy treatment. After an initial diagnosis, Wienand suffered a blast and an acute stress reaction. The game resumed after a 40-minute break.
