Επίσημη Ανακοίνωση <--> F.C. St Pauli

To start with it is to be noted that FC St. Pauli condemns any kind of violence. We also stress that the overwhelming majority of fans is peaceful and detest violence. But we don't turn a blind eye to the fact that there are a few exceptions at the periphery of our fan scene.

FC St. Pauli hereby gives her own view of the events of the Schweinske Cup on the January 06, 2012. Firstly, we will give an account of the chronological overview of the events of the day, as experienced by our employees or club officials. In addition, we received multiple reliable reports of visitors of the tournament and pictures as well as video recordings. We will ask some questions that have to be asked to investigate and evaluate the events in an appropriate way.

The corteo of a couple of 100 FCSP supporters from train station Lattenkamp to the venue was accompanied by strong police forces. Especially at the back of the corteo flares were used a couple of times. Because of that, the corteo was stopped three times by the police. Following that, supporters called out with megaphones to "stop that shit". In contradiction to a police report from January 08, there was no visible aggressiveness or inclination to violence occurred except for that use of flares. In talks with the fans it was clear that they were all looking forward to an exciting and atmospheric tournament, just like every other year. There was no indication of any prior agreements to fight with groups of other clubs.

Admission to the venue was free of any disturbances. [astro: some actually complained that it took very long, about 45 minutes, as there were only 2 open gates]

When 120 supporters of Lübeck stormed to the seats opposite of the seats of the FCSP section, it turned out quickly that their group contained many people that were striving for physical confrontations. Most of them wore black shirts with the slogans "Riot Gang" or "Riot Brothers" etc. There were chants such as "faggots, faggots", "Jews", anti-Roma & Sinti and the like. No action of the organiser or the police against this behaviour [astro: which is a criminal offence in Germany] could be recognised. This is another point at which we have to disagree with the police report: supporters of FCSP did not try to get into physical confrontation with the fans of Lübeck at this time. In contrast to that, we have reports from journalists that overheard the talk of some of the Lübeck supporters which informed each other (and were very amused) about the fact that it was so easy to get around the barriers to get to the St. Pauli fans. These observations were reported to police, but to no recognisable effect.

Before the start of the first match, the police set up in full riot gear right in front of the FCSP supporters in between the section and the pitch as well as on the stairs between two groups of visitors. Hardly understandable as there were FCSP supporters at both sides of the police chain.

After the first match of the group stages of our U23 against VfB Lübeck, many supporters went to the lower level behind the stand behind one of the goals to get to the toilets - this had to be expected. There's always a barrier at the toilets so that both sets of fans can use them without running into the other side. Sadly, that barrier solely consisted of a low fence and only protected by a very small number of stewards [astro: about 4], so that both sets of fans could see each other. Why was there no higher fence in place to block the view? This is normal in stadiums and in other halls as well.

Apparently, there were wars of words at the barrier between supporters of Hamburger SV and VfB Lübeck at one side and FCSP at the other. At this point, police was only standing at the FCSP side of the barrier, facing the FCSP fans. Shortly after this, police chased the FCSP supporters up the stairs to the entrance of the hall. During that, a 20 year old that was only on his way to the toilet was beaten unconscious by a police man that used a weighted-knuckle glove [astro: the use by police is forbidden in Germany, but quite frequent anyway]. Other supporters carried the unconscious to the paramedics who admitted him to hospital where he had to stay until the late night of the following day. From the direction of the entrance came more policemen that drove FCSP supporters in direction of the east wing of the hall. Police used pepper spray and batons (tonfas) massively. The security officer of FC St. Pauli was hit by a tonfa at the arm and exposed to pepper spray. In those minutes, neither police nor organiser issued any information or instructions [of where to go or how to act].

The conflicts moved to the circuit of the east wing. At this point in time the robbery of the banners must have taken place: Lübeck supporters obviously got over some further barriers and stewards, went to the stand behind the goal and robbed 3 FCSP banners (Ramba Zamba, Hinchas, Kein Mensch ist illegal/no human is illegal). A couple of FCSP supporters climbed up to the stand and tried to protect the banners and other fans in that area by the use of physical violence. In this situation, the police that stood in front of the FCSP section used pepper spray as well. Many fans that were not involved in the fights at all were injured by that.

After that, about 25 FCSP supporters tried to get around the pitch and to the Lübeck fans. Most likely to retrieve the stolen banners. This was stopped by police and stewards in the north/east corner.

At this point we would like to emphasise: the FCSP section on the stand behind the goal as well as the FCSP part of the toilets were attacked by Lübeck supporters (and probably H$V hooligans) two times which led to defensive actions of FCSP fans. It was *not* a typical case of "football rioting", where both sets of supporters are only interested in the fight. After their attack, the Lübeck fans could go back to their area on the west stand and celebrated their "success", e.g. the singing of "Ramba Zamba", obviously in relation to one of the stolen banners. Why were there no arrests of Lübeck supporters although this group committed criminal acts clearly for all to see?

The situation in the circuit as well as in the entrance area and in the smoker's terrace got more and more confusing and chaotic. Injured persons lay on the floor, people screamed for water to rinse the eyes, many groups ran back and forth, many people were in panic.

As far as we understood, it was not permitted to leave the hall through the front gate, the police blocked the doors. When a very battered fan wanted to get out, the police prohibited that, as that would be against their instructions. The fan had to be brought to hospital later.

During these events, fights between FCSP supporters and the police took place at multiple locations. The fans threw objects (mostly plastic cups). Police formed a "chain" and drove the supporters from A to B and then back from B to A. Those who were not able to get out of the way immediately, was treated with pepper spray and/or beaten with a baton. A group of FCSP fans tried to attack police outside the venue but were forced back into the venue. At some point, desperate supporters fled into the hall and the VIP area. It has to be stressed that the so-called (by media and organisers) "attack of the VIP area" was not an attempt to commit crimes there, but an escape from the police that was closing down at them. In addition, injured people were brought there to get them into safety, among them a 72 year old man that was in a very bad state due to tear gas. In this situation a member of the supervisory board of FCSP was hit by multiple blows of a police baton. There were absolutely no announcements or other information, neither through the PA of the hall, nor by the police with megaphones.

After about 1.5 hours a large part of the FCSP supporters decided to leave the venue which was possible now, but only through one door. The other gates were blocked by an improvised treatment area for injured people. After crossing the bridge, a group of about 150 FCSP supporters ran down the stairs and to the car park at the west side of the venue. Police stopped. About 70 fans were ketteled and taken into custody. The other 200 to 300 supporters waited at the street, separated by chains of police men and were pushed to train station Lattenkamp.

There were more conflicts at the platform and police sprayed gas into at least one packed underground coach.

These are the events inside and outside venue as happened to our current knowledge.

It should be obvious that the events as a whole were much more complex as it was summarised for the public right after the conflict was over. FCSP holds the view that the start of the fights was made possible by mistakes of both the organisers and the police. The relatively small group from Lübeck could act freely for a far too long time and was even brought back to the central train station unchallenged. We cannot understand that at all.

The police operation in the venue was excessive, not just by our judgement, but by that of many eye witnesses and bystanders as well. Many respectable and innocent football fans were injured and not just physically.

FCSP does not deny that a part of her fans overreacted at a later time of the conflict and that criminal offenses were committed. We strongly condemn these incidents. FCSP has a - fortunately relatively small - number of supporters that is seeking physical confrontation. We are very open about this fact and try to get this under control as good as possible by working together with the supporters project [Fanladen] and fan organisations.

But regarding what was going on inside the Alsterdorfer Sports Hall we believe devoutly that this clientele would have not initiated any interference to the event. A spiral of violence was started, but not by the behaviour of supporters of FCSP. When police fulfils its duty to go after criminals, this has to be done in a way that must happen in a comprehensible way and on the basis of the rules of law. The use of force must never cause so many victims among casual bystanders!

FCSP participated at that tournament for decades with joy and our supporters contributed massively to the success of this event. We reject the accusation that because of the behaviour of our supporters the tournament cannot take place in the future. If individuals or groups showed misconduct, the club bares a share of the responsibility. But we call on the public to look at the events in an objective and differentiated manner and refrain from hastily or generalised conclusions.


In addition, a statement that Sven Brux (security officer at FCSP) made at the press conference:

"We also have to look at the reality when it's about confrontations with let's say nazis or right-leaning hooligans. FCSP is praised all over the country for being "against Nazis" and for standing up to them. Well, then that has to be implemented in reality at some point. If a Nazi thinks he could use such phrases in a St. Pauli section, then he must get the feeling it might not be that good for his health."

H επίσημη ανακοίνωση του κλάμπ, για τα επεισόδια στο "Schweinske Cup"  εδώ :
http://www.fcstpauli.com/magazin/artikel.php?artikel=10473&;

Ενώ την μετάφραση της ανακοίνωσης την βρήκαμε εδώ :
http://stpaulifansuk.forumup.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4214&;

thanks astro!!!