When FC Copenhagen played against Borussia Dortmund last week at Signal Iduna Park, fireworks, roman candles and beers went flying across the stands, ending with violent arrests of several fans of FC Brøndby, a club known to be in strong opposition to FC Copenhagen.
“It’s a disgrace. It’s morons from Brøndby and morons from my own club,” says Søren, a longtime supporter of FC Copenhagen.
When asked what might be done to help alleviate future games of violent hooliganism, Søren suggests to further improve the cooperation between clubs and law enforcement, and harsher punishments once police get their hands on them.
“The clubs can help point out violent hooligans to the police. In my local club Lyngby, everything is monitored on CCTV. After a game, the management can sit and identify every troublemaker.”
“And definitely harsher punishments,” Søren adds.
Another fan of FC Copenhagen suggested using cattle prods.
“I think they should use harder punishment. Not more violence, because that’s not good, but they could use some electric equipment,” says Mathias Kolind, as he makes a prodding gesture.
Fans might seemingly prefer harsher punishments to alternative methods of curbing hooliganism, such as early starts, where games begin early in the day, or a total ban of alcohol sales in the stadium and nearby establishments. In dire cases, games have been played with empty stadiums.
“I don’t always agree with what they’re doing,” says Mathias Lorentsen, “but at least they keep hooligans separated.”