Police Report 35 Officers Injured Amid Chaos at German Cup Derby

Serious riots erupted at the DFB-Pokal Südwest-Derby between SV Waldhof Mannheim and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, leaving 35 police officers injured and several fans arrested, according to police reports. The match, attended by about 23,500 spectators in Mannheim's Carl-Benz-Stadion, was marred by constant pyrotechnic use throughout the game.

Following a scoreless 90 minutes, the situation escalated dramatically. After a scuffle between players on the field, some Kaiserslautern fans launched fireworks into the seating area. This triggered a pitch invasion by Mannheim fans, forcing police, some on horseback, to intervene and regain control. The injured officers included 33 from the Federal Police and two from Baden-Württemberg, all sustaining minor injuries, as confirmed by a police spokesperson.

With approximately 1,400 security personnel deployed, including officers from Rhineland-Palatinate and Bavaria, the match was at risk of being abandoned. The start of extra time was briefly postponed. Although play resumed, the unrest continued, with the fire department extinguishing a fire set by fans in the away section. Police are now investigating charges including insults, assault, property damage, breach of the peace, and offenses against explosives laws.

“

The injuries treated in the hospital are, according to current knowledge, minor.