"We have a very clear rule for such offences".

HSV.de: Cornelius, there were unacceptable incidents in the stands at the home game against Düsseldorf: There were allegedly racist insults against players of both teams, and there were also recognisable throwing of objects against acting players. What do you know about this and to what extent have you been able to clear up these cases?

Cornelius Göbel: Basically, it has to be said that the match day was emotionally charged and there were many small conflicts in and around the stadium. Among them were many beer mug throws throughout the stadium and at least one racist incident in Block 22B. This was documented by a witness and we are already in contact with this person in order to identify the perpetrator and take further steps. There are also further descriptions that there were similar racist remarks in other areas. We cannot yet verify this, but we take it very seriously.  

HSV has already declared yesterday that it will do everything possible to punish these incidents. What are the concrete steps that will now be taken?  

We have a very clear rule at HSV in this regard: If the suspicion of racist comments is confirmed, stadium banning proceedings will be initiated. If the person is also a member of our club and there is a violation of the club's statutes, an exclusion procedure can also be initiated, which will then be pursued and implemented by HSV e.V. accordingly. There are no two opinions on this and it is quite clearly regulated. We have already had such an exclusion due to racist statements and are able to act accordingly. With regard to the throwing of beer cups, it is now the case that these are hard plastic cups which, as projectiles, can lead to bodily harm. There has always been the rule and it is certainly being enforced more harshly now. If someone is convicted of throwing a cup, then a stadium ban will be imposed.

Were there any reports on the match day itself at the so-called "Ankerplatz"? The place that HSV has created as a contact and protection point for those seeking help and advice who experience or witness discrimination or violence on match day.

The Ankerplatz team has observed certain incidents - including sexist remarks, which have unfortunately become somewhat acceptable. However, no one has proactively approached the Ankerplatz team on match day against Fortuna Düsseldorf. In the future, we have to try to get the reporting chains we have in order again. First of all, it has to become familiar again that these possibilities exist at HSV. So what do I actually do if something like this happens to me? I can contact the security service, the Ankerplatz team and the fan representatives. Then, if the people concerned so wish, they will intervene and take action.

How can it be explained that in the case of the racist statement in question, there was no intervention?  

As a rule, we have the expectation that stewards intervene when such misconduct is visible, audible or reported. This chain of reporting apparently did not work well in the known case. Nevertheless, we have the opportunity afterwards to process such cases and do so meticulously.  

Are there any explanatory principles as to why such misconduct on the part of individuals was evident in this home match of all matches?   

You have to clearly differentiate what all happened. The behaviour around the stadium can be explained to some extent by Corona. Large gatherings of people and the behaviour of togetherness must first be relearned. Racist incidents must be viewed in a differentiated way. The fight against racism and other forms of discrimination is one that must be conducted continuously. We are now taking the approach at HSV of consciously speaking about this in a very transparent way. We say openly: Something happened to us here in order to create awareness that something like this still exists here. We want to encourage people to grow up and to know how we deal with such incidents the next time they occur. Such cases will happen again and again and are not a homemade problem at HSV. It is a social issue and the stadium is always a burning glass. We have to create the structures to deal with it as consistently as possible.