After a clash between two groups of fans in Cologne, a 32-year-old Pole suffered serious, life-threatening injuries, German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported. A man who came to Lukas Podolski's farewell match was stabbed. Meanwhile, a group of Polish fans attacked policemen in front of the cathedral. Nine officers were injured.
On Thursday evening, Deutsche Welle reported that a Pole was stabbed in the center of Cologne, where two groups of fans clashed. One of the suspected participants in the clash was detained, the police and the prosecutor's office in Cologne reported. He is a 17-year-old who had blood on his clothes. At the same time, the services are looking for the perpetrator and appealing to witnesses of the incident for information on the matter.
According to DW, the 32-year-old who was stabbed belonged to a group of Polish fans who came to Lukas Podolski's farewell match. They were on their way to the FC Koeln stadium.
According to preliminary findings, a fight broke out between Poles and another group of young men in the pedestrian zone. The reasons are not yet explained. One of the group's members stabbed the 32-year-old in the stomach. The Pole was taken to hospital and underwent surgery there.
Clashes with policemen
Deutsche Welle also reported that in the vicinity of the Cologne Cathedral, a large group of Polish fans also attacked police officers, throwing, among other things, bottles – said a police spokesman. Nine officers were injured.
“DW” reported that before this happened, the fans managed to intone several racist and homophobic chants. The portal reported that several hundred fans of the Zabrze club lined up on the steps of the Cologne cathedral and sang – alternately – their club's chants and offensive slogans.
Lukas Podolski initiated the organization of the FC Koeln – Górnik Zabrze match to celebrate his ending football career.
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