Marvin Stefaniak knows full well that fans of SG Dynamo Dresden and FC Erzgebirge Aue don’t get along. Now he’s experienced that animosity firsthand.
Things aren’t going well for FC Erzgebirge Aue. The Violets currently occupy the first relegation spot in the 3. Liga.
Club officials have called a crisis meeting that will also address the sporting leadership under sporting director Mathias Heidrich and head coach Jens Härtel.
Marvin Stefaniak and his teammates have won only one of their last seven matches. Midfield dynamo Stefaniak—14 games, one goal, two assists—wanted to take a breather with his family at the Dresden Christmas market last Sunday.
There, he fell victim to a group of rowdy Dynamo Dresden fans. They insulted the 30-year-old Aue pro in front of his wife and children. The reason: Stefaniak came up through Dynamo’s youth system, played for Dresden, and has been under contract with FC Erzgebirge Aue since the summer of 2022. Fans of SG Dynamo and FC Erzgebirge don’t get along.
When my own daughter looks up at me and asks, “Dad, why are you actually a traitor?”—it breaks my heart. In the end, it doesn’t really matter who wears which crest on their chest—respect is always greater than any club colors. And that’s exactly what we should be modeling for our children
Marvin Stefaniak
According to Ms. Stefaniak, a few troublemakers attacked her husband and insulted him. Stefaniak’s wife, Michaela, wrote on Instagram: “Because some people believe they have the right to insult Marvin—just because he’s a soccer player. In front of our children. With words that should never be said to anyone’s face. Especially not at a moment that is sacred to us. It’s not the sport that’s at the forefront here, but pure disrespect. People forget that behind every player stands a father, a husband, a human being with feelings.”
Stefaniak, who was reportedly called a “traitor” by a young woman, also spoke out himself. He wrote to the troublemakers: “A little more peace in your hearts and reason in your heads—that would do many of you good. May God help them rediscover the right values. If I’m out on my own and someone feels the need to insult me—go ahead. If that’s what you need, please. I really don’t care. But when I’m out with my family, I expect respect and decency.”
The player, who has made 207 appearances in the third division and 61 in the second division, goes on to write: “When my own daughter looks up at me and asks, ‘Dad, why are you actually a traitor?’—it breaks my heart. In the end, it doesn’t really matter who wears which crest on their chest—respect is always greater than any club colors. And that’s exactly what we should model for our children.”