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Bundesliga 2 side FC Schalke 04 have issued a lengthy statement after a number of their fans were involved in a shocking incident in Dublin.
Over the weekend, thousands of German fans flocked to the Irish capital ahead of Schalke’s friendly with League of Ireland outfit Bohemians.
On Saturday (October 11), the home side won 3-2 at Dalymount Park, but the day was overshadowed by unsavoury scenes in the city centre ahead of kick-off.
As reported by the Metro, footage showed hundreds of fans marching down Abbey Street Lower while chanting.
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Photographer Carly Clarke was standing in the middle of the crowd and had her camera shoved away by one fan before her friend Steve, who is in his 70s, tried to intervene, before being pushed to the ground and kicked in the head.
After the incident, Clarke took to social media and described how she was “appalled” and “disgusted” by what had unfolded.
“Today in Dublin, I went to photograph what I thought was a parade,” Clarke posted on X.
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“They grabbed my camera & pushed Steve over. They then kicked him in the head. Unable to get up, they continued to kick him. They were Schalke football hooligans.”
Several people on social media offered messages of support and condemned the behaviour of the violent supporters.
Then on Sunday (October 12), the German club released a statement in which they described the incident as “disturbing” and “completely unjustifiable” before going on to say that they will “rigorously investigate” the events.
“The photos that have been circulating on social media since yesterday afternoon [11/10] are disturbing and hard to process,” part of the statement read.
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“These incidents are completely unjustifiable and have overshadowed the trip to the extent that we, as a club, feel the need to issue a clear statement.
“FC Schalke 04 expects everyone who supports and follows the club to behave in a manner that is respectful and responsible. This type of incident cast the club and our community in a light that is not fair to S04, nor to the thousands of peaceful Schalke fans.
“The perception that his creates is damaging to the culture at the club and the identity of Schalke 04. We utterly condemn these incidents and, as announced, will rigorously investigate the events and take appropriate action.
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“This review process began yesterday, despite the fact that the information at our disposal is still unclear. FC Schalke 04 wants to express its sympathy for those affected by the incident and wish them a full recovery.”
The Gelsenkirchen side are currently second in 2. Bundesliga – the second tier of German football – having been relegated from the Bundesliga during the 2022/23 campaign.
Despite their on-pitch struggles of late, Schalke remain one of the best-supported clubs in Germany and regularly draw home crowds in excess of 60,000.
The side are also the third most successful club in Germany behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Topics: Ireland
Luke Davies