Some 3,500 FC Copenhagen fans had made the trip to Germany to watch their team take on Borussia Dortmund in the club’s Champions League opener.
But a day of fun, chanting and football morphed into something ugly thanks to fan trouble before and during the match.
The Lions were soundly beaten 0-3 by the Bundesliga giants, but it was the action in the stands and on the streets of Dortmund that grabbed the headlines.
A group of hardcore fans from FCK’s arch rival Brøndby made the trip down and linked up with some local hooligans to attack random FCK fans enjoying the city before the game.
Then during the game, FCK and Dortmund fans tossed flares at one another from the stands – not the most impressive display by Danish football on the biggest football stage in Europe.
FCK coach Jess Thorup lambasted the unruly fans after the final whistle, referring to their behaviour as “a disgrace to Danish football”.
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Big UEFA fines likely
The club also issued a statement after the match, calling into question why security measures were not in place to keep the fan groups separated – particularly given the attacks on FCK fans earlier in the day.
“The problems started when a group of masked people attacked FCK’s section with pyrotechnics, after which pyrotechnics were also thrown the other way. Soon after, it happened again on the other side of FCK’s section with a new attack, with the same reaction,” wrote FCK.
“Whatever the reason, there should be no doubt whatsoever that F.C. Copenhagen distances itself from the fact that pyrotechnics were thrown from our section towards other spectator sections. It is very dangerous and can cause a lot of harm to innocent supporters.”
Both clubs can look forward to significant fines from UEFA due to the unrest, which led to at least three people being arrested by Dortmund police.
Next up for FCK will be Sevilla at home in Parken Stadium on September 14.
There was at least a bit of good news for FCK, as the club’s under-19 squad beat Dortmund 2-0 in their UEFA Youth League tie.
