SpVgg Unterhaching has accepted full responsibility for the cancellation of their match against Hansa Rostock due to inadequate security planning. Club president Manfred Schwabl emphasized the importance of accountability and acknowledged that previous incidents influenced the decision to close the sports park for safety. While facing potential financial consequences, the club remains hopeful for rescheduling and is collaborating with authorities to ensure a revised security plan for future matches.
SpVgg Unterhaching Accepts Responsibility for Match Cancellation
The football club SpVgg Unterhaching has openly acknowledged its role in the cancellation of the match scheduled against Hansa Rostock. Club president Manfred Schwabl emphasized in an interview with BR24Sport that shifting blame is not characteristic of their organization, stating, “Passing the buck to the Rostock fans is not the way of Haching.”
The match was set to take place at Unterhaching’s home ground on Sunday but was called off on Wednesday evening due to a lack of an approved security plan from the relevant authorities, as stated by the German Football Association (DFB).
Understanding the Reasons Behind the Cancellation
In his interview, Schwabl took full accountability for the situation, declaring, “The blame lies solely with us.” He explained that the absence of an adequate security concept was the primary reason for the cancellation. “We were in ongoing discussions with the security authorities prior to the Rostock game, but it appears that wasn’t sufficient. We have to shoulder that responsibility. It was our oversight,” he admitted.
Schwabl suggested that recent events, including rocket throwing and disturbances during a previous match between Rostock and Dynamo Dresden, may have influenced the municipality’s decision to close the sports park for safety reasons. However, he firmly stated, “That certainly did not have a positive impact on the assessment. But passing the buck to the Rostock fans is not the way of Haching. I will certainly not do that.”
Historically, major incidents at Unterhaching’s sports park have been rare, and the Rostock fans have not previously been associated with negative behavior at the venue. Nevertheless, past riots in May 2021, following a match between the two teams, have raised concerns. During that match, even without spectators due to COVID-19 restrictions, unrest occurred as Rostock fans attempted to forcibly enter the stadium, resulting in injuries to two police officers.
According to the municipality, SpVgg Unterhaching had been aware of the necessary adjustments to the security concept for high-risk matches since the season’s start. Simon Hötzl, a spokesperson for the municipality, clarified, “The demand to revise the existing security concept was communicated to the organizer during security meetings at the beginning of the season and in follow-up discussions.” Despite these warnings, the necessary updates were not completed in time, leading to the match’s cancellation notification.
Schwabl supports the municipality’s cautious approach, prioritizing safety in the stadium: “We cannot tell the authorities: ‘Look the other way.’ We have many families with children in the stadium, and that is too risky for me. I say: If there is really a point missing that makes it dangerous, then I fully support the decision.”
The president is aware that SpVgg might face financial repercussions for this self-imposed cancellation but remains hopeful that it won’t come to that. Constructive discussions with the DFB are underway, and with the authorities’ requirements now met, Schwabl is optimistic about rescheduling the match. The DFB has indicated it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the municipality’s unexpected closure of the sports park, with Hansa Rostock also assessing its legal position to safeguard its interests.
The future of upcoming home games for SpVgg Unterhaching remains uncertain. The municipality has confirmed receipt of extensive documentation from the club and is currently reviewing the submitted security concepts, collaborating with involved authorities to ensure safety. It is the collective goal of all parties to resume matches at the sports park as soon as possible, with an updated security plan in place. The next home game on March 11, 2025, is expected to be classified as low-risk, allowing for a detailed case-by-case evaluation of the security situation moving forward.