Club statement on use of pyrotechnics

Bayer 04 provide support for their fans in many ways. The club has again and again made it clear that all types of pyrotechnics, violence and discrimination will not be tolerated. This policy has been regularly communicated – including in the run-up to latest Bundesliga match on Saturday 28 January. A group of fans appear to believe the stadium is a space not subject to the rule of law and that the use of banned fireworks and flares is an essential part of the atmosphere at games. The overwhelming majority of the rest of our supporters voiced their clear opposition to the incidents on Saturday with shouts of ‘Ultras out’ and expressed their condemnation of such activities at the BayArena.

Bayer 04 did everything possible to enable the use of the fan choreography, banned on the instruction of the fire brigade, at the game against Mönchengladbach. The club offered to provide financial and staffing support to reduce the size of the giant banner to more reasonable dimensions. However, the City of Leverkusen and fire authorities also banned the new banner the day before the Bundesliga match and threatened sanctions in event of infringement. The current misuse of pyrotechnics clearly demonstrates why the local and fire authorities plus the club have had to act as they have. Two people were injured but it is not difficult to imagine the consequences of fireworks or flares setting the banner alight above the heads of the crowd.

Bayer 04 will do everything possible to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice – in the interest of the club and the overwhelming majority of our fans.