Chaos Erupts in German Cup Clash as Pitch Invasion Leaves Nearly 100 Injured

A high-risk encounter between Waldhof Mannheim and Kaiserslautern was interrupted for 30 minutes following violent fan clashes.

Local authorities have confirmed that approximately 100 individuals, including 35 police officers, sustained injuries during clashes between supporters during a first-round German Cup fixture between Waldhof Mannheim and Kaiserslautern on Friday.

The match had been flagged as high-risk prior to kickoff due to the intense rivalry between the two clubs. Play was suspended for roughly 30 minutes toward the end of regulation time while the score remained 0-0.

According to police reports, the unrest began when visiting fans launched flares toward the main stand, prompting home supporters to storm the pitch in retaliation.

“A total of 85 people required medical attention, with eight transported to the hospital for further treatment,” police stated in an official release.

The game eventually resumed after a significant police operation used physical force to clear the pitch and push intruders back into the home section.

Nearly 1,400 officers had been deployed to manage security for the match, given that the rival clubs are based only 50 kilometers (30 miles) apart.

Kaiserslautern eventually secured a 1-0 victory, with Ibrahim Kanate scoring the decisive goal in the 120th minute.

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