Horse s*** in the box, 35 police injured - Incredible scenes as fan rioting halts German Cup match

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FT Desk

The German Cup clash between Mannheim and Kaiserslautern this past weekend descended into total chaos as fans and police rioted on the pitch during the game.

The rivalry between Mannheim and Kaiserslautern is one of Germany’s fiercest regional derbies. The clubs are based just around 50 miles apart, with Mannheim representing the Kurpfalz region and Kaiserslautern representing the Palatinate.

The police were clearly expecting trouble heading into the game as no less than 1,400 officers were assigned to deal with the opposing sets of fans.

The game itself finished 0-0 after 90 minutes and it was then that the trouble began as the away Kaiserslautern fans launched flares towards the main stand, according to police, before Mannheim fans stormed the pitch. Police then intervened on foot as well as on horses.

Thirty-five police officers and 85 people in total were left injured after the chaos.

After a 30-minute delay, extra time commences and Kaiserslautern would go on to win 1-0 with a goal in the last minute.

Mannheim police said in a statement outlined by the RMC network: "At present, 33 members of the federal police, along with two officers from the state of Baden-Württemberg, have sustained minor injuries.

🚨🇩🇪 Südwestderby: Absolute chaos! Waldhof Mannheim and Kaiserslautern ultras decided to storm the pitch—pyro flares went off, smoke filled the air, and mounted riot police had to rush the field to restore order! 😳 pic.twitter.com/bMIpWnP1ad

— Ultras Clips (@ultras_clips) August 21, 2026

"A total of 85 people had to receive medical care, and 8 of them were transported to hospital for further treatment."

It was later confirmed that two other officers suffered injuries.

German football legend Fredi Bobic lamented the scenes and questioned whether someone has to actually die before a game can be stopped.

"Someone has to die first. Very simple. It's hard," the Legia Warsaw director said on the Lage der Liga television show.

"But the truth is also hard. I don't like to say that, of course I don't wish it on anyone. If this continues to escalate and continue to deteriorate when you have seen these pictures, it has nothing to do with football anymore.

"I have no problem accepting a certain fan culture. If a few Bengalos (pyrotechnic devices) come on from time to time - everything is fine. But shooting flares somewhere, police on the lawn with horses, hunting scenes, special groups that jump over the fence, that's what we also had at Dresden against Berlin last year - no one wants to see such pictures."

SCENES 🔥 FC Kaiserslautern score a 120th minute winner at rivals SV Waldhof Mannheim tonight #FCK pic.twitter.com/7tplJJqIEd

— FootballAwaydays (@Awaydays23) August 21, 2026

It was, of course, traumatic for the players, too.

As well as having to contend with the violence on the pitch, the game was delayed due to horse manure in the penalty area.

Kaiserslautern captain Marlon Ritter said post-match:

"The only thing we noticed was that the horses were there: When we wanted to continue playing, there was still horse sh*t from the police horses in the middle of the sixteenth (penalty box)."

An investigation is ongoing by German football authorities to determine if fines or other punishments will be given to the clubs.