DRESDEN, Germany (AP) – A large number of fans invaded the field of Germany’s second-division soccer match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha Berlin on Saturday, threw smoke bombs, and were chased away by police.
Dresden fans, wearing their club colors of yellow and black, ran down the field towards the area occupied by visiting team Hertha fans, who also jumped over the fence and moved towards the field. Lighted flares were thrown from both sides, some of which landed close to the audience, and some fans appeared to engage in fistfights.
Police then burst onto the field through an entrance in one corner of the stadium and chased dozens of Dresden supporters towards the other side.
It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured or if any arrests were made.
Referee Sven Jablonski stopped the match and sent off the players for more than 15 minutes. Meanwhile, police formed two lines across the field towards the Dresden supporters. A banner in Hertha’s blue and white colors was illuminated and displayed on the Dresden side.
The match eventually resumed. It was the second suspension of the game, following an earlier delay, as fans set off fireworks and smoke filled the stadium. Hertha won the match 1-0.
Fans were also upset when the final whistle rang. Borussia Dortmund beat Stuttgart 2-0 in a top division match. A group of Stuttgart fans approached the field but stopped behind an advertising board and chairs were thrown onto the field.
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