Press Release Issued by the German Football Federation on 22 June 1998

On Monday 6 June 1998, the German Football Federation (DFB) issued the following press release:

“Egidius Braun, the President of the German Football Federation, the German Delegation and the German national team were appalled and dismayed to learn late on Sunday evening of the serious disturbances that occurred on the occasion of the World Cup match against YUGOSLAVIA in LENS. Egidius Braun stated: ‘We express our deepest sympathy for the injured policeman and his family. We would like to assure him and his family that we will do whatever can be done to assist them. We want to provide this help quickly and through direct contact with them. At the same time our most fervent hope is that the policeman should make a complete recovery.’

The DFB Delegation, the National Coach and the German players most strongly urge national authorities to finally take stringent action against trouble makers who use the popular stage of football for their acts of gratuitous violence. Before the game in LENS, there were already specific indications that certain individuals, listed in a file of ‘Violent criminals at sporting events’ would be travelling to the venue without tickets for the game. It was for this reason that the DFB Security Officer, Wilhelm Hannes, urgently requested preventive action in his letter of 19 June 1998.

These hooligans are declared enemies of society, who are besmirching the good name of sport and the Federal Republic of GERMANY. They are criminals, who should not be mentioned in the same breath as the millions of fans who love football and go to watch the games for their own enjoyment. For many years now, the DFB has been trying to overcome this serious problem through improved security measures, but also through specific fan-accompaniment programmes. Inside the stadiums themselves the atmosphere is extremely positive and friendly. But when hooligans move outside the ground, whether in the immediate vicinity or further afield, then, as with any other criminal offence, it is the national authorities alone that are required to take action.

The Delegation and the German team find these incidents especially regrettable in that during their stay so far in France the hospitality has been wonderful and above all, co-operation with the police authorities has been excellent. German coach Berti Vogts stated: ‘I would rather we had lost against YUGOSLAVIA on Sunday, and the policeman had not been hurt.'”