SCHALKE 04 could secure a return to the Bundesliga this weekend, but ahead of the crucial game there is great concern in the club.
According to Bild, the management fears that the fans in the event of a victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf could rush onto the field en massewhich the club wants to avoid at all costs, writes Goal.com.
For the Royal Blues, the mass entry of fans onto the pitch would represent “nightmare scenario”. Such an event would bring back painful memories of 2022, when Schalke secured promotion with a dramatic 3-2 win against St. Paulija after losing 0:2.
The euphoria, however, was short-lived because of the ensuing chaos on the field nine people were seriously injured. A senior police official later described the incident asabout “a situation that almost turned into a disaster”. In order to prevent a repeat on Saturday, Schalke will, on the advice of the police, issue an official ban on entering the field during the week.
The club announced that, if the fans ignore the warning, stop the celebration immediately, and players and staff will retreat directly into the tunnel.
Increased measures and high fines
In order to prevent entry to the field, the number of stewards and policemen at the stadium will be significantly increased. Police spokesman Thomas Nowaczyk indirectly confirmed this to Bild:
The club intends to take measures to ensure everyone’s safety and prevent entry onto the pitch.
We are on standby at the stadium to eliminate any danger, but we will only intervene if there is a threat to life and health. Our top priority is to prevent injuries.
On the financial side, running onto the field would hit the club hard: they face a hefty fine from the German Football Association (DFB) and the potential cost of replacing the turf before the last home game of the 34th round against Eintracht Braunschweig, which could cost up to 250,000 euros.
However, that scenario remains hypothetical for now because Schalke must first beat Fortuna at home in the 32nd round to ensure promotion. The visitors will arrive at the Veltins Arena hoping to spoil the celebrations, buoyed by recent results.
Fortunewhich, after being a candidate for promotion, now fighting to avoid relegation to the third division, boosted their survival hopes last Friday with an important 3-1 home win over Dynamo Dresden, a team that sits fourth in the second half of the season and has the best defense in the league.
A point away from home would be a welcome boost ahead of the decisive games against Elversberg and direct rivals Greuther Fürth in the last round.
(www.jabuka.tv)
