Two board members from each of the professional clubs signed the cooperation agreement at the German Football Museum in Dortmund on Monday afternoon. Bayer 04 were represented by Fernando Carro, chairman of the board, and sporting managing director Rudi Völler. NRW Minister of the Interior Herbert Reul explained after the meeting: "We are dealing with a problem that has existed for decades. Intensive exchange of information and close cooperation are the keys to less violence in football."
The alliances are to be set up and individually administered in each of the venues by the club and the local police authorities according to agreed standards. Regular information, joint exercises, discussions and dedicated contacts form part of all the agreements.
In addition to Bayer 04, the following clubs have agreed to the alliances: Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Schalke 04, FC Köln, Arminia Bielefeld, SC Paderborn 07, VfL Bochum and Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Background to the co-operative approach is combating violence relating to football. During the 2018/19 season, 276 people were injured and 1,615 prosecutions were launched in relation to football matches in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
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Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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