After online abuse, Königsdörffer celebrates and angers HSV fans

Ransford Königsdörffer’s return to Hamburg began with a friendly reception and ended with a provocative celebration, a confrontation with his former captain and renewed discussion of the online abuse he had received.

The Mainz forward scored in stoppage time to complete a 5-0 victory over his former club, then celebrated in front of the Hamburg supporters. Hamburg coach Merlin Polzin said he did not want the incident to overshadow the team’s disastrous home start to the Bundesliga season.

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I believe that if we dwelled on this issue after a game and performance like that, it would be the wrong approach.

“I believe that if we dwelled on this issue after a game and performance like that, it would be the wrong approach,” Polzin said. He suggested that Königsdörffer’s decision had not been intended maliciously.

Hamburg captain Nicolai Remberg nevertheless made clear that he objected to the celebration. “I like him incredibly much,” Remberg said. “But I am captain of this club. If he celebrates like that in front of our fans, then that is not acceptable to me. Then I have to go over and say so.”

Remberg said Königsdörffer had tried to shake his hand on the way back to midfield and appeared to realize that he had gone too far. Königsdörffer later visited the Hamburg dressing room to see his former teammates, but did not speak to the media.

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I like him incredibly much. But I am captain of this club. If he celebrates like that in front of our fans, then that is not acceptable to me.

Mainz striker Phillip Tietz defended his teammate, saying the celebration was aimed at people who had sent him hateful messages rather than at Hamburg’s ultras or leadership. “What he received in messages was below the belt,” Tietz said. “And I feel extremely sorry for the boy.” Remberg also said he had seen abusive messages directed at Königsdörffer, particularly during the previous season.

Königsdörffer had joined Mainz on a free transfer in the summer after four years at Hamburg. The club gave him a belated farewell gift before the match, and Hamburg fans initially applauded him. He had scored 14 goals in the campaign that helped Hamburg secure promotion.

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What he received in messages was below the belt. And I feel extremely sorry for the boy.