Police warn fans scenes in Nice must not be repeated in Köln

In an open letter in the build up to FC Köln vs OGC Nice in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday night, police have warned fans that there can’t be a repeat of the events in France in September.

“Anyone who wants to spoil the football experience for others will receive a ‘red card’ from us. Scenes like in Nice must not be repeated in Köln,” officials made clear. Police executed arrest warrants issued by the district court of Köln following riots that marred the return fixture. Houses in  Köln, Hürth, Pulheim and Bergisch Gladbach had been searched with the support of riot police.

This was after 32 people were injured as Nice and FC Köln fans clashed. This figure includes two police officers and a steward, which resulted in four hospitalised. One of the injured – a reported Parisian in the guest block – was in critical condition after falling from the middle tier, Köln were fined €100k by UEFA as a result of the riots.

With one point separating Nice, Partizan and Köln in Group D, the Bundesliga side can still qualify for the knockout stages.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder

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