Champions League
Eintracht condemns alleged Hitler salute
Before the match between Olympique Marseille and Eintracht Frankfurt, fans of both clubs had a violent pyrotechnic fight. photo
© Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
Eintracht Frankfurt wins Marseille. But what is happening on the pitch is not the focus. But on the contrary.
Eintracht Frankfurt has sharply condemned the allegedly serious misconduct of one of its fans before the premier class game at Olympique Marseille. Internet photos caused a stir before Eintracht won 1-0 because they are supposed to show a Eintracht fan giving the Hitler salute.
“The club clearly distances itself from a single incident in the run-up to the UEFA Champions League game between Olympique de Marseille and Eintracht Frankfurt, in which a gesture that could be understood as a “Hitler salute” was shown,” said a statement from the football team -Bundesliga after the game. “Anti-Semitic ideas are in stark contrast to the club’s unequivocal and unshakeable understanding of values and its roots.”
The person seen on the video reported to the Eintracht fan representative during the game and emphatically rejected the allegation of anti-Semitic intentions, it said. “Eintracht Frankfurt will examine this process and the representation of the person concerned in detail.”
Pyro rampage in the stadium
Before the group game at Olympique Marseille, fans of both clubs fought violent pyrotechnics at the Stade Velodrome. Flares were fired at the opposing supporters from both fan blocks and firecrackers were thrown.
According to the prefectural spokesman, four German fans were arrested because they wanted to take banned fireworks into the stadium. Four OM fans were taken away because of attempted attacks on the law enforcement officers. Overall, however, there were no major incidents.
Consequences for unity?
The events could have drastic consequences for the Bundesliga club, since the SGE had been sentenced by the European Football Union to ban spectators in the next international game after the storm in the Europa League semifinals against West Ham United. The sentence had been suspended for two years, but could come into force after the incidents in Marseille.
Eintracht will play their next two Champions League games against Tottenham Hotspur. On October 4th, the SGE will first play at home, about a week later the game will take place in London.