A large group of football fans moved from the Oude Haven to the Kuip under the supervision of the riot police. The supporters walked in a long trail to the stadium. When the riot police saw that the trail had become too long, the supporters were asked to stop for a moment so that the people walking in the back could rejoin. According to a police spokesperson, it was then that something went wrong. ,,A small group of supporters did not agree and started hitting the riot police. And that’s something you shouldn’t do, because then they will hit back.”
An officer with a police dog was also present at the procession. In total, three supporters and an riot police officer were bitten by dogs. They were treated in an ambulance for their injuries.
A large group of German supporters had also gone to Rotterdam-Lombardijen for a confrontation with Feyenoord supporters. According to the police, these supporters also had ‘the necessary attributes’. A police spokesperson could not say exactly what they had with them. “But they weren’t stuff to celebrate a children’s party with.” At least fifteen supporters were also arrested for minor offenses such as vandalism and insults.
On Twitter, many Union Berlin fans are complaining about what, in their view, is too much police action. “This behavior is unacceptable.” It is also reported that there was a lot of delay in front of the Kuip: many Union Berlin supporters were unable to enter while the match had already started. More than 200 of the 2400 supporters from Berlin who traveled with them saw nothing of the first half, in which three goals were already scored.
Feyenoord eventually won 3-1. The return is in Berlin in two weeks. That match will be played in the Olympiastadion of Hertha BSC, which can accommodate 75,000 spectators. It is expected that at least 8,000 Feyenoord supporters will travel to the German capital for that match.
The board of Union Berlin, which was already attacked by some Feyenoord fans on Wednesday evening, complained about the treatment of the supporters. “There was a disastrous situation for the fans at the stadium. Dozens of Union fans didn’t get in at all and a large part missed the first half. That’s really not acceptable. We will consult with Feyenoord and UEFA to assess the situation and address these issues clearly.”
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