Riots at the DFB Cup game in Mannheim: investigations against police officers

As a result of the riots in the DFB Cup derby between Waldhof Mannheim and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, an official is also being investigated. The police confirmed to the dpa news agency that they were investigating an official "on suspicion of bodily harm in office and a violation of the Explosives Act." “Mannheimer Morgen” and SWR had previously reported.

According to this, video footage shows a person in black clothing and a helmet picking up a burning object from the lawn and throwing it back towards the Waldhof Mannheim fan block. It is unclear whether anyone was injured.

Previously, fans of both clubs, who have been enemies since the early 1980s, had thrown pyrotechnics onto the pitch from their blocks. Shortly after the final whistle of the regular season, police forces and mounted police officers had to intervene. The game on August 21st, which Kaiserslautern ultimately won 1-0 after extra time, was about to be canceled due to the riots.

The Mannheim police recently announced that an investigative group called “Campus Ludi” was working on the investigation. The aim is to view and evaluate existing information as well as photos and video recordings and to identify suspects and hold them criminally responsible.

Around 1,400 police officers were deployed in the southwest duel, 35 of whom were injured. In addition, 85 spectators had to receive medical care; eight of them were taken to hospital for further treatment.