For unsportsmanlike conduct by its fans, second division football club Fortuna Düsseldorf has been fined €23,900 by the DFB Sports Court.

The control committee would normally have applied to the sports court for a fine of 30,000 euros for the unauthorised entry of spectators onto the pitch alone.

However, because Fortuna Düsseldorf identified numerous offenders, the sum was reduced by 75 per cent in accordance with the guidelines for the work of the Control Committee. This was announced by the association on Friday.

Before and during the second division match against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on 11 November 2022, Düsseldorf spectators lit 19 Bengal fires and smoke bombs.

In addition, at least ten lighters and drink cups were thrown onto the pitch. 15 supporters jumped inside after a penalty was taken for the visitors, ran towards the pitch and damaged advertising boards. Some of them ran onto the pitch and had a brief exchange of words with players. The club has agreed to the verdict, which is now legally binding.

Fortuna Düsseldorf has set itself the credo of always seeking dialogue and pursuing incidents on a case-by-case basis. This will continue to be the case in the future. Talks with the organised fan scene have already been scheduled and will now be intensified.

Alexander Jobst

On Saturday evening (8.30 pm) Fortuna Düsseldorf will host 1. FC Heidenheim. The fans can show that they have learnt from their mistakes and stop “firing up”. That would also be an advantage for Fortuna’s club coffers.

Alexander Jobst, Fortuna Düsseldorf’s chairman of the board, says: “Individuals have clearly crossed the line here and we strongly condemn this behaviour. This is not in line with Fortuna’s values. In the aftermath of this incident, the group “Ultras Düsseldorf” took responsibility for these offences and apologised at the club’s general meeting. The club accepted the apology and perceived the kind of public statement very positively. Fortuna Düsseldorf has set itself the credo of always seeking dialogue and pursuing incidents on a case-by-case basis. This will continue to be the case in the future. Talks with the organised fan scene have already been scheduled and will now be further intensified.” wozi with dpa