Bicycle locks on the posts, objects on the lawn, scandal posters in the stands: the fan protests are enormous at the second division game between HSV and Hannover.
Sports director Marcus Mann from Hannover 96 warned of an escalation of the situation after the violent fan protests in the second division game at Hamburger SV. “Of course things cannot and must not continue as they are at the moment. The mood in the stadium is at risk of changing at some point,” Mann told the Sky TV channel after the 96 footballers’ 4-3 win on Friday evening in Hamburg: “It’s a catastrophe for the teams, they get cold, have to warm up and have to go back on the field. We have to find a solution, the issue has to be tackled.”
Due to protests against the planned entry of an investor into the German Football League, the northern duel had an interruption of more than 30 minutes in the second half before it was canceled by referee Sören Storks. Some supporters from the north curve of the HSV managed to lock heavy bicycle locks on the posts of a gate.
The locks could only be removed using a power cutter. Objects also flew onto the field. In the guest block there were also three banners with portraits and a crosshair each – including the head of 96 managing director Martin Kind. “Crosshair posters are an absurdity, that’s not possible, we don’t have to talk about it,” said Mann.
Sports director Jonas Boldt from HSV reported on the communication with the referee during the break: “He said he’s going out again now and if something happens again, he’ll stop. That was the situation, that’s what he told everyone were down there.”