Holstein Kiel receives a whopping 151,000 euro fine for the use of pyrotechnics!

Holstein Kiel receives a whopping 151,000 euro fine for the use of pyrotechnics!

Holstein Kiel is facing a hefty fine totaling 151,000 euros due to fans setting off pyrotechnics. The largest part of this sum, 141,000 euros, resulted from an incident during the home game against Borussia Dortmund on January 14th, which had to be interrupted for seven minutes. In addition, the club has to pay 10,000 euros for the use of pyrotechnics in the away game against 1. FC Heidenheim on March 16th. These measures were ordered by the German Football Association (DFB) and show the consequences for unsafe practices within the stadiums.

However, according to kn-online.de, Holstein Kiel is allowed to invest up to 50,300 euros of the penalty in security or violence prevention measures. This could potentially help prevent similar incidents in the future. The overall penalty is not the first for the club, as Holstein Kiel had already paid 65,400 euros for pyrotechnics in the promotion game against Fortuna Düsseldorf in June of the previous year. This season, the club's fines add up to an impressive 262,200 euros and illustrate the recurring problems in dealing with pyrotechnics.

Risks of pyrotechnics in the stadium

The use of pyrotechnics in football is strictly monitored by companies and authorities as it can endanger both players and spectators. Experience shows that the dense smoke development can restrict the view of the playing field and thus affect the game. According to sport1.de, there are extensive consequences for fans who burn such smoke devices. In addition to high fines, stadiums can also be banned for several years, and serious incidents can result in criminal penalties.

The dangers of pyrotechnics should not be underestimated; There are frequent reports of injuries caused by fireworks and their smoke. A recently published article on soccerdrills.de highlights that common injuries are burns and respiratory problems, for example in people with previous illnesses such as asthma. This supports the case for stricter measures to ensure safety in stadiums.

Holstein Kiel currently occupies eighth place in the so-called “pyro table” of German professional football, which reflects the problem of the use of pyrotechnics in stadiums. The club's management is therefore under pressure to both ensure the safety of spectators and minimize the financial burden of repeated penalties.