Both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund fans engaged in joint protests during Saturday evening’s Bundesliga “Top-Spiel” after what they claim was excessive force applied by police officers outside the stadium. Support in the Bayern visitors block was noticeably thin during the match. Broadcast cameras confirmed that the section was not full. Moreover, vocal support for the visiting team was noticeably lacking.
The reasons for the lack of Bayern attendees
Sky Germany reports that approximately 500 Bayern fans declined to enter the stadium in protest of police actions outside the BVB venue. Sport Bild and the Münchener Abendzeitung have received reports from FCB ultras that Dortmund police used batons and pepper spray against Bayern supporters.
Kicker and other German media sources have been told by the police that action was taken against 30 Bayern fans attempting to enter the grounds with suspicious tickets that appeared to be forged. Dortmund police told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur that no violent action was taken against the fans.
Dortmund and Bayern Ultras show solidarity
Bayern fans in the visitors block unveiled a banner reading “Freedom for all football fans” at one point in the match. This earned a round of applause from the BVB Kurve. Dortmund Ultras then unveiled their own “Freedom for all visiting fans in Dortmund”, which in turn elicited applause from the FCB block.
