Rot-Weiss Essen tries to enter into a dialog with the Ultras. An initial attempt failed, and the fans clearly let the club feel it in Sandhausen.

Rot-Weiss Essen is in mid-table in the 3rd division penalty table. The club has had to pay just under 75,000 euros this season for offenses committed by its own supporters.

There are many ideas as to how a club could tackle this. RWE has now tried one that is out of the ordinary.

RWE made a proposal to its Ultras. The Ultras were to receive a small contingent of tickets for the last away games this season – especially for the last game at VfB Lübeck. In return, the Ultras should agree not to make any more negative appearances in the current season, for example to refrain from pyrotechnics.

A bold move, but the negative response came in the form of a large poster during the away game at SV Sandhausen (0:2). “NO DEAL” was written on a poster.

At first, it was unclear what the poster meant. Now it is clear that it was the Ultras’ response to the club. To make this clear, pyrotechnics were set off across the entire guest curve (see picture) – the next penalty due.

When asked by RS, RWE board member Alexander Rang confirmed: “Of course we try to stay in contact with the Ultras. We want to stay in constant contact with all fans. The Ultras are an important part, they shape our fan culture. That’s why we thought together in the background about what we could do.”

One thing is clear: this attempt failed. With their response, the Ultras sent a clear message to those responsible. It is commendable that the Essen fans are trying to find a solution, but this was obviously not the right approach

I will continue to seek dialogue with all groups

Alexander Rang

Rang emphasizes: “I don’t think it’s a bad thing that the dialogue was not successful at this point. It was an attempt to find a way forward that is viable for both sides. The aim was not to buy off the Ultras. I will continue to seek talks with all groups.”

Especially since, as the Essen fans know, the attempted solution could have caused a lack of understanding among the rest of the Essen supporters. Because recognition in the form of tickets for not using pyro could upset some of them

Rang: “Of course, it’s not ideal if a solution doesn’t apply to all fans. It wasn’t about a large contingent either. In general, we want fair and transparent solutions for all supporters.”

RWE is also trying to take the next step here, as the RWE Executive Board member explains: “We want to develop systematically and become more digital. Print at home is a keyword. We are also taking the demands for the away season ticket seriously. But we need time for this. The solution must work properly. “