Leeds United: Eintracht CEO “stunned” by violence

Eintracht Frankfurt’s chief executive has described himself as “stunned” by the violence seen at Tuesday’s friendly against Leeds United - but claimed both sets of supporters were to blame for the crowd trouble in Eugendorf.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Jul 2015, 10:34 BST
Frankfurt and Leeds fans clash after Tuesday's friendly in Eugendorf. Photo: PA WireFrankfurt and Leeds fans clash after Tuesday's friendly in Eugendorf. Photo: PA Wire
Frankfurt and Leeds fans clash after Tuesday's friendly in Eugendorf. Photo: PA Wire

Heribert Bruchhagen, Eintracht’s CEO, said he “very much regretted” the problems which marred Frankfurt’s 2-1 win in Austria and led to 25 arrests by local police.

Three Leeds fans, two riot officers and two security staff were injured during clashes before and after the pre-season friendly near the Austrian city of Salzburg.

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A statement released by Salzburg police yesterday pointed the finger of blame squaring at groups of Eintracht ‘ultras’ who were involved in confrontations with police prior to kick-off and after the match.

Fighting between Frankfurt fans - some of whom were wearing balaclavas - and Leeds supporters broke out after the final whistle, leading to a spate of arrests. At least 17 of those arrested were Eintracht supporters.

Bruchhagen said: “I never see the pleasure in violence. I am kind of stunned. It don’t know what that has to do with football.

“I very much regret it. That’s not in the sense of Eintracht Frankfurt. It was obvious that on both sides there were some people who wanted confrontation.”

Leeds have not commented on the violence but officials from the club held spoke with police to discuss the crowd trouble yesterday.

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