Germany’s police union is calling for increased security measures within football stadiums ahead of the Bundesliga season’s commencement this Friday.
Jochen Kopelke, chairman of the Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP), stated the union advocates for more extensive, legally sound implementation of modern security technology. This includes automated facial recognition software and people scanners, particularly in areas known for passionate supporter bases. Kopelke emphasized a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive individuals, stating that “violent hooligans or pyrotechnic-using ultras” have no place in stadiums, while lamenting that some club executives “protect this criminal and dangerous behaviour”. He asserted that stadiums “belong to the true fans and not the brawlers and troublemakers.
The GdP anticipates a significant increase in police deployment hours at professional football matches, citing past experiences demonstrating the necessity of a police presence for proactive and robust intervention against disruptive elements. Kopelke attributes growing societal incivility to the atmosphere surrounding matches and urged league officials to fulfill their duty to protect events by immediately investing more in security personnel and infrastructure, to better support law enforcement. He stated that football needs “neither hate chants nor pyrotechnics nor violence.
However, the call for enhanced surveillance is facing criticism from fan support groups. Linda Röttig, chairwoman and lawyer for the umbrella organization of fan support groups, countered that those making such demands have likely never attended a game. She highlighted the hundreds of thousands of fans who safely attend matches each weekend, arguing that families would not attend if the conditions described by the GdP were prevalent. Röttig accused the GdP of harboring “total surveillance fantasies à la 1984” alleging violations of the fundamental rights of football fans.
