Overview
- The confrontation erupted around 6:15 a.m. in the tunnel between platforms 4 and 5 at Cologne central station as rival groups encountered each other.
- Police say an unidentified Schalke supporter pulled a train’s emergency brake at platform 8, prompting hundreds from both trains to pour onto the concourse.
- Officers used batons and pepper spray to separate the groups, one federal police officer was injured, and both trains resumed service with no arrests made on site.
- Authorities opened cases for breach of the peace, dangerous bodily harm, resisting police, and unlawful use of the emergency brake, and they are analyzing circulating videos.
- Officials counted roughly 340 supporters from each club present, though reports differ on how many actually fought and whether the clash was arranged or coincidental.