STUTTGART, Germany — In a proactive measure to curb potential violence surrounding the Champions League match between Stuttgart and Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, law enforcement authorities have made significant arrests.
Police in Stuttgart revealed that there was a clear intention among unruly fans from both the German and French clubs to escalate the situation, especially during this crucial preliminary round match. “The upcoming game presented a clear opportunity for German and French hooligans eager for fight,” the police statement explained.
To mitigate the risks associated with these confrontations, officers implemented targeted checks on numerous French hooligans starting Tuesday afternoon. This initiative was conducted in collaboration with French police forces.
As a result of these efforts, law enforcement detained 59 French hooligans, effectively thwarting what could have been severe disturbances. Additionally, 47 Stuttgart fans identified as “high-risk” have been prohibited from attending the match. The detained French individuals will remain in custody until Thursday morning to ensure the safety of all involved.
Carsten Höfler, vice president of the Stuttgart police, emphasized, “Any individuals arriving in Stuttgart with intentions of participating in violent activities will be removed from the scenario.”
Authorities voiced concerns regarding PSG fans, including known ringleaders who arrived in Stuttgart without tickets. It was alleged that some Stuttgart supporters, in conjunction with “high-risk” fans from the French club Saint-Étienne, were also on the lookout for their visiting counterparts.
During their operations, local police discovered groups of French hooligans at various locations, including Stuttgart’s main train station and nearby hotels, where they uncovered items intended for disguising identities. Furthermore, some of those Stuttgart fans who were banned from both the match and the city had been found in possession of weapons, raising further alarms about the potential for unrest.
