Fan clashes overshadow Frankfurt's friendly
July 22, 2015
Crowd trouble spoiled a preseason friendly between Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt and English Championship side Leeds United. Austrian police confirmed on Wednesday, seven people were left injured and 25 were arrested after the game on Tuesday in Eugendorf, Austria.
After the final whistle, several Leeds fans stormed the pitch towards the Frankfurt crowd. According to reports from the security on site, provocation and thrown cups had come from that section of the crowd. Violent clashes between the two sets of fans then ensued. Local authorities say there were 1,100 spectators at the game, with 300 in Frankfurt's section and 450 there supporting Leeds.
Issues before kick-off
The police initially broke up the altercation, but things escalated later on in Eugendorf town center. Pepper spray was regularly used as clashes left two police officers and three Leeds fans injured. A Leeds fan threw a bench at a police officer, Eintracht fans cut Leeds banners and fireworks were set off. 21 of the people arrested were Frankfurt supporters, according to Salzburg police.
Before the game, 50 Frankfurt fans refused to pay their bus tickets and then charged the stadium entrance, leaving two security personnel injured. This violence beforehand prompted an increase in police presence in Eugendorf.
Frankfurt won the game 2-1 after second-half goals from Johannes Flum and Vaclav Kadlec cancelled out Steve Morison's goal. The news didn't get any better for Frankfurt as their new-signing Luc Castaignos suffered a suspected muscle tear and may miss the start of the season.
jh/asz (SID, dpa)