Violence escalates in derbies between FC Copenhagen and Brøndby IF amid hooligan concerns in Denmark

Violence and unrest associated with rocker gangs and football hooligans are increasingly impacting the local derbies between FC Copenhagen and Brøndby IF, fostering a sense of insecurity and recruiting young, aggressive football fans. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard advocates for better identification of these groups and their inclusion in a hooligan registry, emphasizing the need for action after a recent meeting with club officials and fan organizations.

Following the derby match on September 1, which saw police violence and the looting of a local convenience store, the minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the ongoing turmoil. He stated that the discussions held highlighted a greater need for proactive measures. FC Copenhagen’s director, Jacob Lauesen, recognized the club’s responsibility for events occurring within its stadium but stressed that external street behaviors are beyond their control. He voiced confidence in the facial-recognition technology FC Copenhagen has proposed for use during matches, which could help exclude banned individuals from the stadium.

Brøndby IF also supports the implementation of facial recognition to ensure compliance with club regulations and to prevent unwanted incidents. Ole Palmå, the club’s CEO, highlighted the need for a national registry to identify and track violent individuals infiltrating football events, noting established connections between hooliganism and organized crime.

Minister Hummelgaard warned of the unsustainable use of police resources during these derbies, hinting at potentially banning all fans from future matches if current measures against violent behavior are insufficient. The discussions concluded with a commitment to addressing the issues surrounding violence in football culture.