The game between VfB Stuttgart and Paris St. Germain on Wednesday evening is not only a sporting hot topic. The mood off the pitch is also tense and there were already numerous arrests on Tuesday.
Before the decisive Champions League game between VfB Stuttgart and Paris St. Germain, Stuttgart police took a total of 59 French fans into custody during the course of Tuesday, according to a press release issued Wednesday night.
According to the police, it had become apparent that fans of the two clubs wanted to confront each other away from the stadium. The French hooligans had traveled to Stuttgart without tickets for the game.
On Tuesday, risk fans of VfB Stuttgart and friendly risk fans from Saint-Etienne tried to meet the hooligans from Paris. They had tried to spy out the whereabouts of the hooligans from Paris in Stuttgart. However, the police, in cooperation with the Parisian officials, intercepted the violent supporters at the train station and in hotels.
Restrictions on movement for VfB supporters
According to police, the 59 violent fans must remain in custody until Thursday morning after consulting with a judge. In addition, 47 Stuttgart fans who are said to have tried to spy on the guest fans have been banned from the city center and Bad Cannstatt. Some of them were carrying protective weapons.
“Anyone who travels to Stuttgart to commit violent crimes away from the pitch will be taken out of the game,” said Police Vice President Carsten Höfler. The Stuttgart police have also announced that they will take extensive police precautions on the day of the game to prevent riots in the Swabian capital.
The game is also of great sporting importance for both clubs. Because advancing to the play-offs is not yet certain. However, a draw would pave the way for both clubs to advance to the next round.
