Hoffenheim fan sentenced to prison for throwing fireworks in stadium stands
Yasmine Green
Dailysports's expert
Translated by the editors
A German football fan has been handed a prison sentence for throwing fireworks into the crowd during a match, with his appeal against the ruling being rejected, reports Bild.
The incident took place in November 2023 during a Bundesliga game between Augsburg and Hoffenheim. A fan threw a firecracker into the stands, injuring 12 people and causing panic among many others, as the loud explosion initially sparked fears of a possible terrorist attack.
The perpetrator was later identified and, in April 2024, sentenced to three years in prison for deliberately causing an explosion and inflicting serious bodily harm. The 29-year-old man admitted his guilt in court and apologized to the victims. Three other individuals received suspended sentences for aiding and inciting the act.
Despite the defense’s request for a suspended sentence, the court ruled otherwise. A key factor in determining the severity of the punishment was the psychological distress inflicted on the 26,000 spectators, many of whom feared they were witnessing a terrorist attack.
