Wehrle offers graphic details on treatment of Stuttgart supporters in Serbia
When it came time to discuss a recent incident involving VfB ultras being harassed at the Serbian border en-route to a Champions' League fixture against Red Star Belgrade, the 49-year-old went into great detail about the problems experienced by the club supporters.
| VfB Stuttgart supporters. | Sebastian Widmann, Getty Images |
VfB Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle has shed significant light on a recent incident involving VfB Stuttgart traveling supporters encountering extreme harassment en-route to a November Champions' League fixture in Belgrade. In an extensive interview published in the Monday print edition of Germany's preeminent footballing publication, Wehrle spoke on a variety of topics with the entire editorial board of Kicker Magazine.
As a football functionary with a seat both on the DFL and DFP Supervisory Boards, Wehrle discussed everything from the new Bundesliga media rights deal to the DFB's voting plans on the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia in addition to going into great depth about the state of his club. Wehrle's words on the recent experience of the VfB ultras proved most disconcerting.
"Smaller buses were pulled over and disproportionately checked," Wehrle said, "Men and women were stripped naked due to the mere fact that they were football fans. Approximately 700 fans turned back at the border."
"The remaining fan scene [allowed in the stadium] were detained [in the guest block] for over two hours after the full-time whistle," Wehrle continued, "They were not allowed to go to the restrooms or purchase concessions. This was unacceptable."
"These issues should be considered in the UEFA licensing procedure.," Wehrle concluded, " Every club that participates in the competition should ensure minimum standards. This includes a reasonable entry situation as well as humane cooperation at the stadium."
