St. Pauli Ultras Exclude Members for Abuse Within Ranks

The prominent fan group 'Ultrà Sankt Pauli' has taken the unprecedented step of publicly disclosing and addressing instances of violence and abuse within its own community. In a detailed statement, the group announced the permanent exclusion of several fans from their association due to "differing cases of sexual, physical, and psychological violence" and "abuse of power."

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Although we knew these individuals for many years and spent countless hours with them, we could not prevent them from becoming perpetrators.

'Ultrà Sankt Pauli,' described as the most influential and largest group within FC St. Pauli's active fan scene, stated they learned of the serious allegations during the summer break. "Although we knew these individuals for many years and spent countless hours with them, we could not prevent them from becoming perpetrators," the statement read, acknowledging a painful reality.

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We are aware that we operate as an ultra group in an environment that structurally on the one hand facilitates abusive behavior and on the other hand hinders its processing and clarification.

The group candidly admitted that their environment can structurally "facilitate abusive behavior on the one hand and hinder its processing and clarification on the other." They pointed to factors within the fan culture, such as a focus on "performance and loyalty," power imbalances, and a "questionable understanding of masculinity," as playing a central role, even within a progressive and left-leaning group like theirs.

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Performance and loyalty, but also power differences and a questionable understanding of masculinity play a central role in this subculture - even in a progressive and left-wing ultra group like ours.

An internal analysis of the cases revealed "structural deficits and blind spots" within the fan structures, which resulted in harm and a breach of trust. The statement did not specify potential criminal consequences or the club's reaction, but the Ultras' public acknowledgment signals a significant internal reckoning with problematic behavior and a commitment to addressing systemic issues.

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We have structural deficits and blind spots here, through which damage has been caused and trust has been violated.