"Unprecedented Excess": Hefty Penalty for Kaiserslautern

1. FC Kaiserslautern must dig deep into its pockets following the scandalous fan incidents during the derby against Waldhof Mannheim in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.

At the time, among other things, 35 police officers were injured (read more here>>>).

Heavy Fine

The DFB sports court has imposed a fine of 300,000 Euros on the club of ÖFB-Legionär Thierry Tazemeta. Additionally, Kaiserslautern has been sentenced to one home game with partial exclusion of the public, suspended on probation (until March 31, 2028).

The case is "an almost unprecedented excess, which precludes standard treatment by the sports courts," said Thomas Bergmann, DFB Vice President for Legal Affairs.

"Last Warning"

Boundaries were "clearly crossed," which is why "understanding and leniency are no longer appropriate." Especially the large quantity of ignited pyrotechnic objects and "above all, the firing of flares towards other spectators are unacceptable," Bergmann emphasized.

The partial exclusion of fans, suspended on probation, is an "unmistakable last warning," he continued. He acknowledged that "1. FC Kaiserslautern has clearly distanced itself from the incidents and initiated concrete steps for clarification and perpetrator identification."

This path must now be "resolutely pursued." The club, together with its fans, must do everything to "prevent comparable excesses – and other incidents as well – in the future," he demanded.

Mannheim Also Receives Significant Penalty

Waldhof Mannheim also did not get off scot-free: The third-division club had already been sentenced to a fine of 100,000 Euros. In addition, they had to serve one home game with partial exclusion of the public, and a second was suspended on probation.