Police in Germany have swooped on the home of 17 Hansa Rostock fans following a planned confrontation with Glasgow Rangers fans.
Reports last month explained how a group of Scottish football hooligans had taken on far-right mobs from Germany and France as part of a new ‘forest fight’ trend.
One such ‘battle’ involved members of the Rangers Riot Crew ultras. They lined up in the pre-arranged fight against counterparts from FC Hansa Rostock and French club Lyon.
Photos from the even spread online, with members of the Rangers group posing alongside a swastika with other ultras. That prompted the German third division club to ban a number of supporters who were identified.
What’s been happening in Germany
Wednesday’s print edition of BILD explains the matter did not stop there. On Tuesday morning, police searched the homes of 17 Hansa fans.
That was part of a series of raids in which a total of 121 officers were deployed across the city of Rostock and the districts of Rostock and Vorpommern-Greifswald.
Allegations include dangerous bodily harm and the display of Nazi symbols. The investigation was prompted by a photograph taken following a match between FC Hansa and Watford this summer.
The image in questioned is the aforementioned image involving Rangers fans. It showed 17 individuals who had apparently arranged a pre-planned confrontation – away from the stadium – with Glasgow Rangers fans.
The two groups met after Hansa travelled to England to take on Watford at Vicarage Road in a pre-season friendly at the end of July. Watford won the game 3-0.
Over 6,000 Hansa fans travelled to Watford for that game. Most behaved well with little issue. But over a dozen neo-Nazis from the Rostock football club’s hooligan scene also travelled. They later took part in the forest fight.
What German law says
Some of the individuals in the photograph are alleged to have posed in front of a flag bearing a swastika. That prompted the police action in Germany.
The country strictly prohibits the public display, distribution or production of swastikas and other Nazi symbols under Section 86a of the German Criminal Code.
That also includes SS runes, the Hitler salute, Nazi slogans – such as Heil Hitler or Sieg Heil – and flags and uniforms of the NSDAP and it’s affiliated organisations.
Violations can result in a fine or a prison sentence of up to the three years. There are exceptions, such as for educational purposes.
