The behavior of Berlin police during the Hertha vs. FC Schalke 04 match has already sparked debate. Now S04 fans are also leveling serious accusations at law enforcement.

Three days after the 0-0 draw at Hertha BSC Berlin, the behavior of the Berlin police continues to be the subject of debate among the clubs involved. Initially, following the controversial police operation in front of Hertha BSC’s east stand, the Hertha BSC executive committee and management issued clear statements.

Now Königsblaue Hilfe is also criticizing the behavior of the Berlin police. The club speaks of aggressive and provocative behavior by the police around the Olympic Stadium – including in the visitors’ area. It does not want to comment on the incidents in the home area, where several fans were injured, as it was not present.

“What we can testify to, however, is the extremely aggressive behavior of the police forces deployed throughout the day, also towards the visiting fans,” writes the fan club on its website. “Already at the entrance and during the game, the police acted provocatively in the visitors’ area and tried to provoke an escalation.” There was also inappropriate behavior during the 90 minutes. “Throughout the game, large police units repeatedly moved into the already security-guarded and extremely crowded area immediately behind the visitors’ block in the lower tier. Fans repeatedly pushed and shoved their way through, accompanied by various verbal abuse. There was no apparent reason for this and there was a tangible risk of escalation,” explained Fanhilfe.

The organization speaks of a senseless, violent, and escalatory deployment strategy. “After the game, the obviously desired images were captured in the stairwell of the Olympiastadion S-Bahn station. For no apparent reason, a large number of police officers stormed into the peaceful crowd of people leaving the stadium and pushed some of them towards the stairs. In doing so, they deliberately accepted that fans would fall down the stairs, in some cases falling on top of each other, and that only calmness could prevent an extremely dangerous situation. People on the forecourt of the staircase area were also subjected to violent action and massive provocation,” according to the fan support group. Berlin’s Interior Senator Iris Spranger has already stated that the incidents surrounding the game must be investigated. It will be interesting to see what the outcome will be.