A high-stakes German Cup clash between Waldhof Mannheim and Kaiserslautern descended into mayhem on Friday, leaving more than 100 people injured, including 35 police officers. The match, which had been flagged as high-risk due to the intense rivalry between the two neighboring clubs, was halted for half an hour as tensions boiled over. According to local authorities, the situation escalated when visiting fans began launching flares into the main stand, triggering a retaliatory pitch invasion from home supporters.

The violence necessitated a massive security response, with nearly 1,400 officers deployed to manage the crowd. Authorities confirmed that 85 individuals required medical attention on-site, while eight were transported to the hospital for further care. Despite the alarming scenes and the physical intervention required by police to clear the field, the match eventually resumed. The game ultimately ended in a 1-0 victory for Kaiserslautern, following a decisive goal from Ibrahim Kanate in the final minutes of extra time.