Germany could ban soccer fans

BERLIN – Soccer federation and police officials warned clubs of increased security measures to handle fan violence, including the possibility of playing in empty stadiums.

“A situation like Italy can’t be tolerated here,” said Konrad Freiberg, the head of the national police union, on Monday.

Hundreds of fans of FC Lokomotive Leipzig attacked 300 police officers after FC Erzgebirge Aue II beat their team 3-0 Saturday in the eastern state of Saxony. Police said 36 officers and six fans were injured.

Federation and soccer officials from Saxony will meet to consider canceling all matches in the state next weekend.

Federation president Theo Zwanziger said Germany could follow Italy’s lead and order teams with violent fans to play in empty stadiums.

Germany has seen a surge in stadium violence since hosting the largely peaceful World Cup last year.

In Italy, rioting at a Feb. 2 match led to the death of a police officer and 100 people were injured.