Germany is in shock after the attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market. The football world also reacts to the incident – and mourns.
The football world subsequently reacted with shock to the events in Magdeburg. Bayern star Harry Kane said in the Allianz Arena mixed zone after the Leipzig game: “My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was involved in this terrible incident.” And further: “Sometimes there is a bigger picture than football.”
The Munich team canceled their Christmas party in the stadium planned for after the game at short notice (read more about this here). Bayern’s CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen also confirmed in the mixed zone after the game that they found out about the attack during the game. “Reports kept coming in, including the number of deaths, which is still not clear,” said the 57-year-old. “But in the end it doesn’t matter how many deaths: everyone is too many and that’s why we decided during the game that we would forego the Christmas ceremony.”
In addition to Bayern and RB Leipzig, numerous German clubs expressed their condolences and compassion on the online platform X after the attack on the Christmas market. Second division team Hannover 96, for example, wrote: “We are dismayed by the shocking news from Magdeburg.” The Hamburg sports club said: “The attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg causes us great horror.” VfL Wolfsburg was “stunned.” All clubs remembered the victims and relatives of the incident.
1. FC Magdeburg was particularly dismayed. Nobody could really celebrate the team’s furious performance at the away game in Düsseldorf. The FCM did not provide a detailed match report on its website. It just said: “When football becomes a minor matter – the FCM is shocked and is thinking about those affected by the terrible events at the Magdeburg Christmas market. Our club won the away game at Fortuna Düsseldorf 5-2, but to be honest it’s hard for us It’s also hard to find words right now. That’s why the match report ends here.”
Shortly before the end of the game, the news of the attack was shown on the scoreboards in the arena in Düsseldorf. Both fan camps had already stopped their support, which could also be read on the screens.
As “Bild” reports, Magdeburg’s sports director Otmar Schork found out about the attack in the second half of the game and then quickly made his way from the stands towards the bench to inform the substitute players and the support team. The Magdeburg professionals did not give any interviews after the game. The obligatory press conference was canceled.
Düsseldorf captain André Hoffmann spoke again on the TV microphone on Sky. “I actually have relatively little information. During the second half I got a little bit of information here and there,” said the 31-year-old. “One thing is clear: that football immediately takes a backseat – despite the result and so on and immediately, our performance is behind. There are more important things. I would also like to express our condolences at this point on behalf of everyone. That’s where sport is at play and football doesn’t matter if you get that kind of information.” He also understands that support has been discontinued. “That’s how it should be,” emphasized Hoffmann.
Schalke professional Ron Schallenberg, who scored a goal in Schalke’s win against Elversberg in the parallel game, also commented on Sky about the attack on the Christmas market. “I just found out what happened in Magdeburg. I felt like I was the happiest person five minutes ago. Of course, that puts everything in the background.” His thoughts are with the people in Magdeburg.