The topic of choreographies remains a hot one ahead of FC Schalke 04’s second-round opener against HSV. These are the latest developments.
The ban on choreography in the south curve by Hamburger SV fans remains in place following a further meeting between the clubs involved and the Gelsenkirchen police. This was announced by FC Schalke 04 on Friday evening in a statement published on its homepage.
“FC Schalke 04 regrets that even after follow-up talks on Friday (19.1.) between the clubs and the Gelsenkirchen police, no agreement could be reached on the implementation of a choreography by HSV fans,” reads the statement published on the club’s homepage. For this reason, there will be no such opportunity for HSV fans in the Schalke Arena on Saturday evening. “For FC Schalke 04, a soccer match in the VELTINS-Arena is only feasible with a security concept approved by all sides – the club has already communicated this several times in the past, both publicly and to the security authorities,” the club writes.
Hamburger SV had registered a choreography by its fans for the visitors’ block. This was classified as feasible by FC Schalke 04, including a block flag that the police rubbed up against. “At the same time, it is of central importance for us as a club to protect legitimate fan interests and offer the opportunity to live out fan culture – this also includes the implementation of choreographies, taking into account safety-relevant aspects. Living fan culture is part of our club’s DNA and will remain so,” explains Matthias Tillmann, CEO of FC Schalke 04.
In the security meeting usually held before every match, the Gelsenkirchen police then informed the clubs that they would not approve this choreography. “The raising of a block flag over the entire guest area suggests that Hamburger SV fans – as at several previous matches this season – will set off dangerous and therefore prohibited pyrotechnics under the cover of the block flag. This endangers other spectators, violates the law and also the DFB’s own safety guidelines,” the police wrote in a statement they published.
In contrast, a choreography by Schalke supporters had been approved – unlike in the first half of the season. However, according to RS information, it is by no means certain whether it will actually take place. Schalke announced, however, that they will continue to work towards this in the future and will look for solutions so that choreography can be carried out