“More than strange” – Deputy chief of Dortmund police denies Bayern ultras’ claims that police started conflict

The hardcore support of Bayern Munich’s fanbase feels the Dortmund police were at fault for the heavy-handed exchange at “Der Klassiker”.

Achim Stankowitz, Deputy Chief of Dortmund police, has reacted with surprise and dismay to Bayern ultras blaming the police for Saturday’s confrontations at the Westfalenstadion.

In the build up to Borussia Dortmund’s game with Bayern Munich, fans of the Bavarian club had an altercation with the police and opted against entering the stadium for the match.

At the time, BILD reported the police used batons and pepper spray against some of the fans, while 29 Bayern fans attempted to gain entry to the away section using unauthorized tickets – here’s what Stankowitz had to say:

“The knee-jerk blame being placed on the police seems more than strange in light of the video footage, which we can and will also submit to the criminal proceedings.

“One video clearly shows a co-ordinated, planned approach by troublemakers who were entering the stadium without going through security checks and have intended to force their way in.

“Naturally, criminal acts result in police action. I want to make this perfectly clear: Over 80,000 people can easily attend a football match peacefully and without violence.

“And the tiny fraction who – thanks to the video evidence, by the way – demonstrably fail to do so, subsequently criticize the police’s adherence to the rule of law.

“For me, this demonstrates a lack of self-reflection and is symptomatic of a misguided sense of self-importance,” explained the deputy chief of the Westphalian city’s police force.