The regional league match between 1. FC Köln II and Rot-Weiß Oberhausen had to be abandoned. Now the date for the hearing has been set. There is little hope for the points at RWO.
On 12 August, Rot-Weiß Oberhausen had to play the U21 of 1. FC Köln in the Regionalliga West. After 89 minutes the score was 1:4 from RWO’s point of view, then the game was abandoned.
As a reminder, some Cologne fans disguised as stewards had approached the Oberhausen fan block, stolen the flag of the RWO fan group “Semper Fidelis” and ran back across the pitch towards the Cologne fans, pursued by the angry RWO fans.
I have no hope for the three points. But it’s also not primarily about that. Much more about how badly 1. FC Köln behaved. The FC security service screwed that up.
Hajo Sommers
After about 30 minutes the referee wanted to let play continue, RWO refused. Now, presumably on 12 September, there will be a hearing to decide how the game will be rated. RWO boss Hajo Sommers is not very optimistic that the points will go to Oberhausen. He told RevierSport: “I have no hope of getting the three points. But that’s not what it’s all about in the first place. It’s more about how badly 1. FC Köln behaved. The FC security service screwed up. And we want that to be dealt with. We are not finished with the subject yet.”
Sommers was already upset shortly after the game and explained: “It was absolutely clear, everyone from security in the stadium confirmed it to me, that at least 200 to 300 of the Ultras from 1. FC Köln would come. Then I don’t schedule a game in a stadium that doesn’t meet the requirements. Therefore, it’s a matter of a Bundesliga club allowing itself to do things that a traditional regional club can’t afford.”
Sommers is certain that any other such match would have been considered a high-security game. His opinion: “I don’t get a game scheduled on a Friday night where the opponent announces himself with 200 Ultras. Therefore, there should have been more security there to prevent that. If they were there, they were not standing where they should have been.”
Presumably RWO will not get the points, Sommers can live with that. If it were up to him, the games against second teams would no longer exist anyway. If you look at the sporting part, you will notice that the FC U21s used some professionals against RWO with Bright Akwo Arrey-Mbi, Niklas Hauptmann, Denis Huseinbasic and Steffen Tigges.
Not even Münster would have won against this Cologne team.
Hajo Sommers
RWO had to play against a team that will never play like this again after the end of the transfer window. Arrey-Mbi moved to second-division club Hannover 96, Hauptmann back to Dynamo Dresden, Tigges or Huseinbasic are currently in demand and scheduled there due to the tight squad of professionals.
The word “distortion of competition” always makes the rounds here. Sommers: “Münster wouldn’t have won against this Cologne team either.” That’s why the RWO boss often positions himself against the associations in order to proclaim his opinion that the U teams should not compete in the Regionalliga. But he is unlikely to have much success with his idea, but it is important to him: “I am not here to endear myself to the association. I stand for the interests of RWO. I’m here for my club. “
