Hertha Berlin battled to a positive 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund despite two goals from 18-year-old wunderkind Jadon Sancho on Saturday. But what stood out most from the Dortmund vs Hertha highlights were events taking place off the pitch, in the stands.
The scenes at Signal-Iduna Park, home of some of the most intimidating fans in the world, dissolved into madness as police and Hertha fans clashed in the stands.
#BVBBSC #BorussiaDortmund #Hertha #Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/B07z3lGdSI
— Judo Jürgens (@phillip_bien) October 27, 2018
Reports are varied as to which side escalated to violence first, but the conflict appears to have started after stadium authorities tried to remove a Hertha banner that was hiding the use of flares.
Ugly scenes in the away end at Dortmund. Hertha fans battling with riot police after they attempted to remove a banner on display.. #BVBBSC #Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/2o91ydhpZx
— Chris Williams (@Chris78Williams) October 27, 2018
Hertha fans said the police were the problem, while the police will undoubtedly point to inappropriate behavior from the fans.
Es berichten mir @HerthaBSC Fans telefonisch über einen absolut überzogenen Polizeieinsatz mit #Pfefferspray und #Knüppeleinsatz im #Gästeblock. @polzei_nrw_do leistet ganze Arbeit. Es gibt viele Verletzte. Fans, die das Stadion verlassen wollen, werden daran gehindert.
— Rechtsanwalt Rene‘ Lau (@renelauberlin) October 27, 2018
Wegen ein bisschen Feuerwerk geht die @polizei_nrw_do in den Block, greift Zaunfahnen „für die Ermittelung“ ab und verteilt Pfeffer - alles ohne Absprache mit dem Hausherren. Das ist Eskalation. #bvbbsc
— Fankongress 2016 (@Fankongress) October 27, 2018
Regardless, physical violence against either police or fans should be completely unacceptable in a soccer stadium. Scenes like these have no place in sports (or just about anywhere, to be honest).
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