Baden-Württemberg introduces stricter football security after Mannheim riots

Following violent riots during a DFB-Pokal match between SV Waldhof Mannheim and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, authorities in Baden-Württemberg are implementing stricter security measures and legal consequences. The Mannheim Police have established a specialized investigation group, named ‘Campus Ludi’, consisting of eleven officers to identify suspects using video and photographic evidence. The previous match saw significant unrest, including the use of pyrotechnics and pitch invasions, resulting in injuries to 35 police officers and several spectators.

In response, Interior Minister Manuel Hagel met with representatives from professional football clubs to establish a ten-point security plan for high-risk matches. Key measures include enhanced entrance controls, improved accreditation for service providers, more qualified security personnel, and the use of advanced surveillance technology.

Crucially, the state is working to create a legal basis that would allow for significant fines of up to 100,000 euros against clubs that knowingly fail to uphold these security protocols. The agreement emphasizes the responsibility of clubs to maintain order and enforce stadium bans for serious offenders.