
(foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
VfB Stuttgart's director Alexander Werle raises concerns over the treatment of fans during a Champions League match against Red Star Belgrade.
Stuttgart fans faced a harrowing experience during their Champions League trip to Belgrade in November, prompting the club's CEO, Alexander Werle, to demand action from UEFA. Speaking to Kicker, Werle detailed the troubling treatment of fans en route to and inside the stadium.
"Smaller buses were stopped and disproportionately searched," Werle explained. "Men and women were stripped naked simply because they were football fans. Around 700 fans were turned back at the border."
The ordeal did not end at the border. Werle noted that fans who made it to the match were detained for over two hours after the final whistle. "They were not allowed to use the toilet or buy snacks," he said. "This was unacceptable."
Stuttgart’s director has called for UEFA to address the situation, emphasizing that clubs must meet "minimum standards" for fan treatment during Champions League matches. "These issues should be addressed within the framework of UEFA's licensing procedures," Werle insisted, adding that respectful treatment and reasonable facilities should be mandatory at all participating venues.
This incident has sparked wider discussions about fan safety and dignity in international competitions. Stuttgart fans have called for accountability, and Werle’s strong stance suggests the club will push UEFA for reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.