The managing director of the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Tourism Association probably fears that the slogan of the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania “MV does good” will become “MV hurts” if Hansa Rostock does not act soon. Tobias Woitendorf sees the repeated riots by FC Hansa Rostock football fans as causing major damage to the image of the popular holiday destination.
“Honestly: When you see what headlines Rostock is making – in the fog of horror in Gransee – then you throw your hands up over your head,” said the head of tourism in the “Ostsee-Zeitung”. This is an “absolutely negative factor for tourism”. The 49-year-old called on those responsible for the third division soccer team to take action. “Hansa is the strongest brand this city and the country have. “It is all the more important that those responsible take care of this brand and finally rehearse the rebellion of decent people and say, let’s do something here,” said Woitendorf.
Hot iron Hansa Rostock
Before Rostock’s home game against Rot-Weiss Essen, Hansa fans allegedly attacked a train carrying Essen fans last Saturday near the town of Gransee in Brandenburg. Around 200 masked attackers dressed in white shirts attacked the wagons with, among other things, firecrackers and stones. Several windows were broken and there were also arguments outside the train. This is one of the reasons why five long-standing FC Hansa supervisory board members announced their resignation two days later. “For some time now we have been observing a development that concerns us,” says a joint statement. Specifically referring to the attack, they wrote: “A red line has been crossed for us!”
The main sponsor has already ended its cooperation with the second division relegated team prematurely. As the Ostsee-Zeitung reported, “28 Black” has terminated the contract, which runs until June 30, 2025, without notice. Accordingly, the beverage company also fears damage to its image as a result of the riots by Hansa fans.
