Trouble with Serbian police
Stuttgart fans cancel their trip to Belgrade
November 27, 2024, 5:46 p.m
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß is expecting a hot football evening, so he has already had the VfB Stuttgart professionals complete their final training in the Red Star Belgrade stadium. However, some of the expected 2,400 VfB fans turned back at short notice on their way to Serbia.
VfB Stuttgart will play in the Champions League away game against Red Star Belgrade today (6.45 p.m./DAZN and in the live ticker at ntv.de) have to do without some of the 2,400 expected fans. When asked by dpa, the Bundesliga soccer team confirmed that fan groups had returned to Stuttgart after controls at the border with Serbia. However, the exact background cannot yet be assessed.
Several buses with VfB fans made their way to Belgrade. According to consistent media reports, there were disproportionately strict controls by the Serbian police at the border with Serbia. The organized fan scene is said to have decided not to visit the stadium. The “Kicker” reported on disproportionate controls. Apparently ten buses with Stuttgart fans drove back to Germany.
VfB had given its supporters several safety tips in the past few days – also because some of the Red Star fans were considered to be “seeking violence and belonging to organized crime”.
The Stuttgart team can also expect a hot ride in terms of sport, as coach Sebastian Hoeneß said before the game. In his opinion, the most important thing will be to manage the atmosphere in the Rajko Mitic Stadium correctly. It was therefore a conscious decision to complete the final training in the Serbian capital and not in Stuttgart. The players of the Bundesliga soccer team should get an impression, said Hoeneß. VfB has four points after four matchdays in the premier class and has to fight for a place in the knockout phase. Red Star hasn’t picked up a point yet.
Hoeneß was already a guest in Belgrade with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in December 2020. At that time, the Kraichgauer team played 0-0 in the Europa League – but in front of empty stands due to the corona pandemic. It is a “fantastic, venerable stadium,” said the VfB coach, who expects a “different energy” there this time.
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