The rivalry between Rot-Weiss Essen and Alemannia Aachen has entered a new chapter. On the Aachen side, there was a particularly distasteful incident.

The fans of Rot-Weiss Essen and Alemannia Aachen have shared a deep mutual dislike for many years. Rivalries are part of soccer, but this action by a group from Aachen clearly goes too far.

The fan club “Fahrgemeinschaft 520” is said to have sold T-shirts with the slogan “Death and hate to RWE” at Aachen’s Tivoli stadium. The shirts were available at home games next to the entrance to block S4. A Facebook post advertising the action has since been deleted.

The club is said to have officially approved the sale of merchandise by various fan clubs and groups. Items from “Fahrgemeinschaft 520” were also reportedly offered at the Tivoli Christmas market. Alemannia Aachen has not yet responded to an inquiry from this editorial team on the matter.

The tasteless T-shirts are a new episode in the rivalry between the supporters of the two big traditional clubs in the 3rd division. A rivalry that has grown over a total of 88 encounters in various leagues. RWE lost the last three matches against Alemannia, most recently on the fourth match day of the current season. The local club suffered a bitter 2-3 home defeat at Essen’s Hafenstraße. However, the overall record is positive for the Bergeborbeck team: RWE has won 38 games, Aachen 34. Sixteen encounters ended in a draw.

Rot-Weiss Essen at Alemannia Aachen on February 8

The next meeting between the two third division rivals will take place on matchday 23 at Aachen’s Tivoli stadium (February 8, 4 p.m.). For Essen, currently in fourth place, the aim is to collect more points for promotion, while Aachen, in seventeenth place, is fighting against relegation.

But first, RWE will start the second half of the season at TSV 1860 Munich this coming Saturday (2 p.m., Magenta). Alemannia will play VfL Osnabrück on the same day (4:30 p.m.).