Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 8y

Darmstadt supporters fire flares at Eintracht Frankfurt fans

Two Darmstadt supporters have been identified after firing flares toward fans in the away stands during their team's 1-0 home victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

The derby was heading for a goalless draw when a mistimed Sandro Sirigu cross sailed over Eintracht keeper Lukas Hradecky in the final minute of the match at the Jonathan-Heimes-Stadion. Amid the celebrations, two rocket flares were fired into the Frankfurt end.

"I have heard from our security officer that the two perpetrators have been identified," Darmstadt president Rudiger Fritsch told reporters after the match. "I can only say that it will be no fun for them. We will exhaust all legal possibilities."

Earlier, Darmstadt fans already lit pyrotechnics in the stands, and the club may now set to face sanctions from the German football association (DFB), which is expected to open proceedings.

Frankfurt fans had been involved in fan trouble at Magdeburg in August but did not cause any significant trouble throughout the match.

Even so, Frankfurt executive Axel Hellmann feared that the incidents might provoke a reaction in the return match.

"We tried everything to calm things down before the match," Hellmann told Frankfurter Rundschau. "And then something like that happens. A seed has been laid for the reverse fixture."

There was further disappointment for Frankfurt as they saw right-back Guillermo Varela, on a season-long loan from Manchester United, substituted with injury after seven minutes.

On Sunday, coach Niko Kovac confirmed to kicker that Varela has sustained a ligament injury in his ankle and could now undergo surgery. A decision will be taken after a further scan on Monday.

"It's bitter for the lad," sporting executive Fredi Bobic said. "And it hurt me more than the defeat."

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