Eintracht Frankfurt Fans Delay Match Start for 50 Minutes

BOCHUM, Germany — Eintracht Frankfurt‘s match against VfL Bochum on March 16, 2025, was nearly derailed as a group of Frankfurt supporters delayed the kickoff by 50 minutes due to a protest involving banners.

The conflict arose when fans refused to remove banners that obstructed emergency exits in the away section. Despite the intervention of Eintracht’s captain, Sebastian Koch, and club officials, the fans held their ground, prompting an escalation that could have led to the match’s cancellation.

Before the game, Eintracht’s website had issued a warning about the importance of keeping emergency routes clear. The club stated, “All orange emergency exits in the standing and seating areas must be fully accessible at all times.”

Ilja Kaenzig, managing director of Bochum, expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “If the plan from the beginning is to delay the game with such actions, there is nothing we can do.” Eintracht Frankfurt’s board member, Philipp Reschke, added, “This should not happen to us collectively. We need to discuss this in the coming days.”

Former Frankfurt manager Fredi Bobic criticized the situation during a talk show, saying, “It’s arbitrary, pure arbitrariness, showing perhaps who is stronger and how I see my right. It cannot happen.”

As tensions rose, referee Felix Zwayer threatened to cancel the game if the banners were not removed. After several attempts to get the fans to comply, including public requests to avoid blocking the emergency exits, the situation became increasingly precarious.

Finally, after 34 minutes, the banners were taken down, allowing the match to commence a short time later. The encounter eventually got underway after an additional 16-minute delay. Following their protest, some fans left the stadium, signaling their dissatisfaction.

This scenario isn’t unprecedented; a similar incident occurred in a previous match between Bochum and VfB Stuttgart last year, which was halted for 42 minutes due to restricted emergency exits. The Bochum club noted the historical significance of its stadium, calling for flexibility from fans regarding banner placement to ensure safety.

In the end, Eintracht Frankfurt secured a 3-1 victory, revitalizing their hopes for a Champions League spot, but the controversy surrounding the delay overshadowed the win. Fans and officials alike will undoubtedly be reflecting on this event in the days ahead.