Chaos erupted at Cologne’s main train station as more than 300 Borussia Dortmund and Schalke hooligans brawled in a violent clash on Saturday morning, forcing police to use pepper spray and batons
Chaos erupted as more than 300 football fans clashed in a massive brawl at a German train station. Police were forced to step in, leaving one officer injured.
More than 300 Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke hooligans clashed in a brutal brawl on the morning of Saturday (November 2) at Cologne’s main train station. Violence broke out when Dortmund supporters, fresh from a hard-fought 1-0 win in Augsburg, crossed paths with disgruntled Schalke fans returning from a 2-1 defeat in Karlsruhe.
Police reportedly rushed to the scene and managed to break up the fight, but not before one officer was injured.
Federal police reported that approximately 340 fans from each side were involved in the altercation. According to initial findings, the conflict began when a train carrying Schalke supporters made an emergency stop alongside a platform where Borussia Dortmund fans were gathered.
What started as a brief scuffle rapidly escalated into a large-scale brawl. Police were forced to use pepper spray and batons to disperse the aggressive crowds and restore order, eventually escorting both groups back to their trains.
According to German media, no arrests have been made yet. But authorities are investigating, and police chiefs have issued a stern warning about the growing trend of organised football violence, urging clubs to take tougher action against hooligans. An official statement read: “Football matches should not become large-scale security operations because of a few hundred hooligans.”
Footage of the brawl has since been circulating on social media. One social media user wrote on X: “So much problems in Europe and you choose to fight each other over a football match.”
A person wrote: “First they pulled the emergency brake, then apparently got their a-s kicked and ran off. Great job, Schalke 04.” Someone else penned: “Tough guys.
“Well, otherwise it’s normal, it happens here too. Adrenaline is at work.”
Another person wrote: “They are mentally ill. Against hooligans – for true sportsmanship!”
Hooliganism remains a concern in both Europe and the UK, though its scale has diminished compared to previous decades. In the UK, strict policing, stadium bans, and surveillance have significantly reduced violent incidents, but isolated clashes still occur, especially around high-profile matches.
In parts of Europe, particularly in countries like Italy, Poland, and the Balkans, organised hooligan groups remain active and sometimes orchestrate violent confrontations away from stadiums. Authorities across Europe continue to monitor and combat football-related violence through coordinated efforts and preventative measures.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.