Hertha Berlin complain about West Brom fans singing offensive chants during Saturday afternoon’s pre-season friendly at The Hawthorns.
The game was when a small group of Baggies fans directed a chant referencing World War Two towards the travelling fans from the continent.
Hertha fan Willi Kirsei posted on Twitter, saying: “a small group is offending our Hertha Fans. Singing the bomber song and looking for some beef. This was reported to your stewards as hate crime and they are not interested at all. Serious? The Albions support Rassismus and hate? Make me being wrong!”
As some West Brom supporters replied to Kirsei after the game had finished, Chris Lepkowski of Birmingham Live also took to criticise the chanting as he snapped back at one fan in particular.
@EliasBurke of The Athetic wrote: “Not got much time for the section of Albion fans singing God Save the Queen and 10 German Bombers to the Hertha fans, though #WBA”
The game itself saw the Baggies earn a 2-1 win over the Bundesliga side with second half goals from John Swift and Daryl Dike helping to turn the game in the hosts’ favour following an early strike in the opening 45 from Hertha forward Davie Selke.
New signing Okay Yokuslu was also welcomed back to B71 and was presented to supporters in attendance on the pitch at the interval.
Steve Bruce’s side had the game’s first opportunity in the 8th minute. Smart work from Karlan Grant and Jed Wallace down the right ended in the latter sending in a low cross into the box which was palmed into the path of Jayson Molumby, only for the Republic of Ireland international to see his goal-bound effort cleared off the line.
But it was Hertha who took the lead in B71 just five minutes later, clever, one-touch football opened up an opportunity for forward Selke and he calmly slotted past David Button from inside the area.
The visitors had further chances in the first 45, but Kevin-Prince Boateng fired over from the edge of the box and Dodi Lukebakio produced a shot across the face of goal.
The Baggies almost drew level right at the end of the half. Swift’s well-struck free-kick looked to be heading for the top corner, only for the ball to come back off the crossbar.
Hertha Berlin made an energetic start to the second period and could’ve doubled their lead when defender Dedryck Boyata met Marvin Plattenhardt’s corner, but the Belgium international couldn’t keep his header down in front of the Smethwick End.
And the Germans were made to pay for that miss with 20 minutes remaining. Grady Diangana was introduced to the action and the winger made an instant impact, dancing round the defender before delivering a perfect cross onto the boot of John Swift, whose delicate touch sent the ball beyond Oliver Christensen in the Berlin net.
Steve Bruce’s side quickly got a second, edging ahead just three minutes later through another substitute.
Wallace’s teasing cross from the right landed on the head of Dike, with the American glancing his effort into the far corner.
The away side had a chance to respond with just over ten minutes remaining when Stevan Jovetic found himself in a shooting position on the left side of the area, but the forward’s strike was thwarted by Button.
Both Albion and Hertha Berlin pushed for further goals, but none came and the Baggies hung on to secure a welcome win ahead of the start of the Sky Bet Championship season next weekend.
ALBION: Button; Furlong, O’Shea, Bartley © (Ajayi 68), Townsend; Molumby, Mowatt; Phillips (Diangana 68), Swift (Reach 78), Wallace (Gardner-Hickman 84); Grant (Dike 68).
Substitutes: Palmer, Zohore, Ashworth.
Twitter users gave their thoughts as Hertha Berlin complain about West Brom fans singing offensive chants…
@HJMKent: Please don’t think this defines us all! The majority of real Albion fans are happy to welcome you and want you to enjoy your visit! Sadly hate crime seems to have been on the increase lately & football is a perfect vehicle for it.
@Joeirvi07085459: Really disgusted to hear of reports of the chanting from kids at a friendly today A FRIENDLY!!! if you are one of those kids that was singing 10 German bombers my advise to you would be to never leave school as you need the education #wba
@WBAinDE: WBA supporter living in Germany for the last ten years, now a dual national. This genuinely hurts me – but to be honest, doesn’t surprise me. I went to the England vs Germany game at the Allianz and some of the fans were just as awful. Yeah they may be small pockets of idiots but they have a disproportionate effect on our reputation. I’m sorry this happened and I’m furious with the stewards that they didn’t shut this down. Alles gute für die Heimfahrt. ✌️
@DrFunkenbreakz: I’m an wba fan, and I am absolutely appalled at what some of our so called fans are doing. This is definitely not the way most of out fans are . Sorry
@leowatkins: Sorry about this. Those hooligans don’t represent us
@Stuwba68: Sorry to everyone connected to Hertha for the disgraceful behaviour of a small minority of WBA fans, rest assured that these are NOT true WBA fans and will be found and banned from attending the hawthorns, hope @HerthaBSC_EN have a fantastic season and wish you well for future
@bobsterbrum: Very disappointing. Sorry and hope it doesn’t spoil your trip
@superbobgod: Please don’t think this is a reflection of all @WBA fans as it is not.
@P4ulG87: I’m all for banter, but the 20 kids in the corner of the East Stand singing “10 German Bombers” to the Hertha Berlin fans are embarrassing #WBA
@SafiyaOutlines: I am really sorry this happened. I thought it was brilliant you came all this way to see your team and Albion fans being anything less than welcoming is not acceptable.
@_N47H4N: Please don’t think this small section represent our club, they embarrassed us today.
@JacobGreet: This was embarrassing to see Willi and I’m sorry you had to put up with this. I hope it hasn’t tainted your trip to England too much. Good luck for the season ahead, I’ll be keeping an eye on your results 👍
@wba007: They don’t speak for me mate, apologies to those offended 💙🤍
@baggie1971: I am really sorry for what you and your friends have had to encounter at the game today. The vast majority of our fan base are good decent people, but unfortunately there are always a small minority that are intent on causing trouble or attempting to incite . Apologies
@PeterBone1: It’s particularly bad that the stewards didn’t respond to your complaint. I hope the club takes appropriate action towards the offending fans and the stewards who did nothing. Best wishes. #keinfußballfürrassisten
@ehayward93: The majority of Albion fans, including myself, are so sorry and appalled at the behaviour of fellow supporters. 💙
@OfficialWillNev: West Mids Police have now picked this up and are working with the club to find those responsible. Sorry that this happened. Proper Albion fans don’t do that.
@PJSoulboy: The majority of us Albion fans agree with you that this was appalling … sincere apologies. @wba get investigating …..
@Pongojohnson: @WBA, have you got club security and cctv available? These so called #wba fans need to be banned !! Not welcome at our club –
@Bertinho92, I apologise from the 99.9% of decent WBA fans
@Iiamp98: Not all us wba fans are like this. Sorry on behalf of them and hopefully you all still had a great time over here.💙🤍
@camwbaman: The strong majority of our fans don’t and won’t condone this. We’re a welcoming club overall, always a few idiots
@PerfidusAlbion: So sorry you had to experience that. That kind of behaviour should not be acceptable at #wba based on our club history and traditions. Sorry a minority of our dickheads ruined your visit. One day it would be great to see @wba playing in your great stadium and city
@TheLiquidatorP1: Apologies Willi. This is disgusting – those responsible should be banned. It IS a hate crime @WBA should take responsibility and ask why their stewards didn’t take action at the time.
@sarahrobbo11: Agreed! These fans are very easily identified and there were loads of @WBA stewards. Fans should be banned and stewards asked why they didn’t respond… doesn’t bode well for the coming season!
And this is what we preach as a club. Does it not apply to our own fans? pic.twitter.com/ZO9fDopWRv
— Ben Phillips (@WBAPhillips) July 23, 2022
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