2023-11-28 10:48:44
Published28. November 2023, 11:48
Unfinished business: Will there be a battle between Belgrade and Roma ultras in Bern?
Last February, Serbian fans burned the stolen flag of a Roman ultra group. Their counterattack should now take place in the federal city of all places.
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Last February, a flag of the Roman ultra group “Fedayn” went up in flames in the Belgrade stadium.
Serbian Ultras stole the banner on February 4th following the Serie A game between AS Roma and FC Empoli.
IMAGO/Insidefoto
That’s what it’s regarding
According to information from the active YB fan scene, Roma Ultras are planning an attack on Red Star Belgrade fans in Bern.
The reason is an unfinished business: Last February, Serbian supporters stole the banner of a Roman ultra group and burned it in their stadium.
The city of Bern is aware of the scenario of a clash between the rival ultra groups.
There has been a bitter dispute between the ultras of Red Star Belgrade and AS Roma since February 4th. Around 50 Red Star supporters attacked the ultra group “Fedayn” near the Roman Olympic Stadium. The Serbs had traveled from Milan, where they had attended their club’s basketball game. During the attack that occurred following the Serie A match between Roma and Empoli, they managed to steal several Roma fans’ flags. Two weeks later, an upside-down banner with the inscription “Fedayn” was set on fire in the Belgrade football stadium.
You have to know: In the ultra scene, fence flags and banners have a special meaning. Their loss is seen as a disgrace, the capture of someone else’s banner as a triumph. Numerous ultra groups have already disbanded following their “holy scraps” were stolen by rival fans and then displayed in the stadium (usually upside down or set on fire).
Racheakt in Bologna?
However, the “Fedayn” do not seem to be in the mood for dissolution, but rather for revenge: On October 20th, in Bologna, masked people with clubs and hammers attacked a group of Red Star fans who wanted to watch an away game of their basketball team. Even though the victims were Erasmus students and not Belgrade ultras, according to Serbian sports media, it was said to have been an act of Roman retaliation for the banner theft at the beginning of the year. The Italian police also did not rule out such a connection.
The eyes are now all the more focused on the next dates on which the ultras from both sides might meet – and the first of them is today, Tuesday, in Bern. Because: Just two days following the Champions League game between YB and Red Star Belgrade, AS Roma will play once morest Servette in Geneva. As can be heard from the active YB fan scene, which also maintains friendly relations with Italian clubs, the Romans are supposed to arrive in Switzerland early and plan an attack on the Serbian Ultras.
“We are aware of this scenario”
“On the part of the authorities, we are of course aware of the scenario that Roma Ultras might come to Bern,” says the city’s security director Reto Nause when asked by 20 Minutes. Whether they actually show up will only be known in the evening. It is also questionable whether the two opposing ultra groups would actually meet in downtown Bern; It is conceivable, for example, that they might meet in an outside area, says Nause.
But are the police prepared if there are clashes between hardcore fans? That sometimes depends on how many people take part and whether the scenes take place in the middle of the city or outside, says Nause. At the same time he makes it clear: “If the ultras want a clash, we will hardly be able to stop them. But if it happens, the police will intervene.”
Unpleasant memories
Nause continues to assume that the Serbian fans are planning a fan march through Bern, as they did in the summer of 2019, and is expecting around 2,000 participants. Four years ago, the Belgrade Ultras, considered right-wing nationalists and prone to violence, caused fights and massive destruction, especially in the Lorraine and Breitenrain districts. The police will therefore closely monitor the unauthorized march, and shop owners and restaurant operators along possible routes have been warned.
“Experience has shown that it is difficult to establish a dialogue with such fan groups,” says Nause. Whether it will be successful will become clear over the course of the followingnoon. As far as the route of the fan march is concerned, we currently only have scenarios, but no fixed agreements.
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