General decree of the district-free city of Chemnitz

for 13 August 2025 to maintain public safety and order in connection with the Chemnitzer FC football match in the one stadium on Gellertstraße in Chemnitz

Pursuant to Sections 1 para. 1 no. 3, 5 para. 1 and 31a para. 1 i. in conjunction with para. 2, para. 5 of the Saxon Police Authorities Act in the version dated 11 May 2019 (SächsGVBl. p. 358, 389), which was amended by Article 2 of the Act dated 22 July 2024 (SächsGVBl. p. 724), the following

General decree

of the City of Chemnitz for 22 March 2026 to maintain public safety and order in connection with the Chemnitzer FC football match at eins-Stadion an der Gellertstraße, Gellertstraße 25, 09130 Chemnitz.

1. the following orders are issued to enforce the prohibitions specified in Section 31a (1) of the Saxon Police Authorities Act (SächsPBG):

a. The ban, in accordance with § 31a paragraph 1 number 1, second alternative SächsPBG, includes the following objects:

• Metal bars, slats
• Chains (except jewellery)
• Baseball bats
• stones
• Knives that do not fall under the WaffG
• Cutting and stabbing tools (e.g. scissors)
• Gloves filled with quartz sand

b. The ban pursuant to Section 31a(1)(2) SächsPBG includes the following items:

• Helmets
• protective vests
• Protectors and armour
• Puncture-resistant gloves/protector gloves
• Boxer mouthguards/bite guards

c. The ban pursuant to Section 31a(1)(3) SächsPBG includes the following items:

• balaclavas
• misused tube scarves
• ski masks
• Hooded jacket/hood with integrated goggles/mask/ balaclava
• Misused mouth-nose protection masks (except medical masks)
• Disposable overalls

2. according to the attached site plan (see map), which is part of the order, the order area includes the following streets/streets, paths and squares:

• August-Bebel-Straße from Hilbersdorfer Straße to Dresdner Straße
• Thomas-Mann-Platz
• Gellertstraße from Dresdner Straße to Zietenstraße
• Hainstraße from Palmstraße to Forststraße
• Forststraße from Hainstraße to Steinweg
• Dresdner Straße from Palmstraße to Gellertstraße
• Palmstraße from Dresdner Straße to Zietenstraße
• Reinhardtstraße from Palmstraße to Gellertstraße
• Connecting path (Schwarzer Weg) from Forststraße to Heinrich-Schütz-Straße
• Heinrich-Schütz-Straße from Planitzwiese to Zietenstraße
• Zietenstraße from Heinrich-Schütz-Straße to Forststraße
• Planitzwiese industrial estate
• Zeisigwald forest between Planitzwiese, Eichenweg, Reitweg and Forststraße
• Car parks P2, P3, P4/Heim, P4/Gast and car parks on Forststraße (both already included in Forststraße from Hainstraße to Steinweg), CPSV car park, eins-Stadion on Gellertstraße (event site Gellertstraße 25)

3. the orders apply in the above areas on 22 March 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

4. the immediate enforcement of paragraphs 1 to 3 of this order is ordered in accordance with § 80 para. 2 no. 4 of the Administrative Court Code (VwGO)

5. the general ruling shall be deemed to have been announced on Friday, 20 March 2026

Chemnitz, 19 March 2026

I. Facts of the case

On 22 March 2026, Chemnitzer FC (CFC) and FC Carl Zeiss Jena (CZ Jena) will face each other as part of the 27th matchday of the Regionalliga Nordost (RLNO). The match will be played at eins-Stadion an der Gellertstraße, Gellertstraße 25, 09130 Chemnitz. Kick-off is at 14:00. The match has been categorised as a category 1 security/risk match by the police, the city of Chemnitz and the host club.

There is evidence that the supporters of both teams have a high potential for violence and have a traditionally hostile relationship.

The police risk assessment is based on the following key aspects:

FC Carl Zeiss Jena fan behaviour:

Jena supporters regularly actively support their team at away matches with an average of around 800 fans, and even up to 1,900 fans at highlight matches.

The Jena fan scene is known for its affinity for pyrotechnics and regularly demonstrates this. Among other things, the scene campaigns for the legalisation of pyrotechnics in connection with football matches.

CZ Jena supporters are also sceptical of police forces, among other things. If, for example, Jena fans are affected by police measures, strong acts of solidarity can be expected from the fan scene.

CFC fan behaviour:

Chemnitz supporters cultivate traditional rituals at home matches. They meet in and around trendy locations near the stadium and get in the mood for the upcoming match. Fan paraphernalia is prepared for the match and transported to the stadium. The Ultra scene also meets up and regularly travels to the stadium in a closed group. The city area of Chemnitz, and in particular the area surrounding the stadium, is regarded as "their own" territory and is also asserted or defended against other football supporters. This was expressed, among other things, by the fact that Chemnitz fans had already posted slogans and graffiti provoking hatred and violence in the visitors' block or at/near the visitors' entrance days before a match.

The two teams have met several times in league matches in the past, with the following facts becoming known, among others.

Match between CFC and CZ Jena on 29 July 2023 (kick-off 14:05) as part of the RLNO in Chemnitz (excerpt):

On 29 July 2023 (Saturday match), CFC and CZ Jena also met in the RLNO in Chemnitz. The match was watched by a total of 6,112 spectators, 852 of whom (130 category B, 20 category C) were visiting fans.

Among others, 253 guest fans travelled to and from the match by train. The remaining guest fans travelled individually by car or van.

There were several disturbances during the match. The following incidents, among others, were recorded by the police:

- Insults (visiting fans towards police officers),

- masking (visiting fans),

- unauthorised setting off of pyrotechnics (visiting fans),

- Assault on duty after accessing known suspects (guest fans),

- Unauthorised billposting.

Match between CFC and CZ Jena on 8 February 2025 (kick-off 16:00) as part of the RLNO in Chemnitz (excerpt):

The last encounter between the two clubs on 8 February 2025 (Saturday match) in Chemnitz was watched by a total of 6,055 spectators, including 1,111 visiting fans from Jena.
Among others, 550 guest fans travelled to and from the match by train. The remaining guest fans travelled individually by car or van.

Due to the risk forecast at the time, the city of Chemnitz issued a general order in connection with the match. There were several disturbances during the match. The following offences, among others, were recorded by the police:

- Offences in accordance with §31a SächsPBG (masking in connection with the unauthorised burning of pyrotechnics),

- Insulting behaviour (visiting fan towards police officers),

- damage to property,

- unauthorised billposting.

It also became known that the passenger compartment of the train from Jena via Glauchau was damaged during the journey to Chemnitz. Among other things, the perpetrators had cut out the seat covers.

Furthermore, unauthorised posters were put up on the train by guest fans during the journey using stickers. The stickers were sometimes prepared with razor blades.

Rating of the matchday CFC and CZ Jena on 22 March 2026 (kick-off 14:00):

The match on 22 March 2026 is a so-called East derby. Derbies regularly evoke a heightened level of emotionalisation among the fan camps involved and have a high symbolic significance, as they are often associated with a longer history and rivalry.

With regard to the upcoming match, fan relations are always considered to be hostile, meaning that it can be assumed that the fan camps, especially the risk groups, are more likely to be violent and aggressive.

This is also shown by experience from previous matches. Disruptions were frequently recorded at these matches in both Chemnitz and Jena. For example, there was a physical assault by Jena fans on Chemnitz supporters after the first leg in the current season in Jena.

Due to the attractiveness of the match and the close proximity of Leipzig and Jena, the police are expecting a high level of spectator interest for the match on 22 March 2026, both in the guest and home sections. The arrival of the respective disruptive groups is also expected.

Even if, due to the predicted arrival of the visiting fans, they will not increasingly prefer to travel by train, a low frequency of train use can still be assumed. These rail travellers, among whom there may well be a few high-risk individuals, will use the resulting walk between Chemnitz main station and the one stadium An der Gellertstraße. This means that overlaps in the arrival and departure of home and visiting fans in the relevant areas are possible. However, the potential for possible disruptions resulting from this is estimated to be low.

An increased number of individual arrivals and departures by car and coach can therefore be expected for the current match.

In addition, heavy alcohol consumption by visitors must be expected, especially during the arrival phase. Experience has shown that this leads to alcohol-related symptoms of drunkenness and regularly results in a lower inhibition threshold with regard to the use of violence.

In the past, supporters of Chemnitzer FC have often sought direct confrontation with opposing fans. To this end, they have attempted to enter the area of the visiting fans or the arrival/departure routes of opponents travelling by train via the immediate vicinity of the stadium (e.g. via the Planitzwiese industrial estate). Such attempts are also to be expected at the upcoming match.

The Chemnitz Police Department therefore expects the following behaviour in particular for the match on 22 March 2026

• police measures to ensure compliance with the law will be largely ignored and rejected,
• official action in the stadium environment to prevent violations of the law may lead to considerable frustration and aggression among the people present. Violence against property or people are possible reactions.

The described potential dangers are primarily based on the fact that offences can be committed in the stadium and in the immediate vicinity of the stadium during high-risk matches, especially in the context of derbies, and that the listed objects are used by violent individuals to carry out violent actions or other disruptions. In the past, the carrying and use of the aforementioned objects was regularly observed on public streets, particularly in the wider vicinity of the stadium.

In summary, there is a high probability that the match on 22 March 2026 will result in disruptions to public safety and order and the associated impairment of the legal system. It can be assumed that, similar to previous matches, bodily harm and property offences of all kinds and other violations of the Criminal Code, Administrative Offences Act, Weapons Act and others will be committed. Taking the aforementioned aspects into account, there is no doubt that considerable personal injury and/or property damage must be expected on the match day in question. It is therefore necessary to take all measures that can contribute to the disruption-free organisation of the event and the maintenance of public safety and order.

The City of Chemnitz, as the district police authority, fully agrees with this risk prognosis. In order to ensure a sustainable reduction of the risk, it is necessary to order the objects covered by the ban in accordance with Section 31a (2) SächsPBG.

II Justification

1. responsibility

In accordance with §§ 1, Para. 1 No. 3 and 31a Para. 5 of the SächsPBG, the city of Chemnitz is the district police authority responsible for averting danger. The local jurisdiction results from § 5 SächsPBG. The orders under numbers 1 to 3 of this general ruling serve to protect public safety and order, so that the security-related area of responsibility of the City of Chemnitz as the lowest security authority is opened up.

2 Regarding numbers 1 to 3:

2.1 Legal basis

The legal basis for the order in Section 1 of this general ruling is Section 31a (2) SächsPBG. Accordingly, police authorities can issue orders to enforce the prohibitions specified in Section 31a (1) SächsPBG, in which the objects covered by the prohibition are specified.

2.2 Specific danger

According to Section 3 SächsPBG in conjunction with Section 4 No. 3a SächsPVDG, a danger is a situation in which there is sufficient probability in an individual case that damage to public safety or order will occur in the foreseeable future. If events proceed unhindered, it is certainly to be expected that visitors to the area around the one stadium on Gellertstraße, especially during the period mentioned in point 3, will use the objects mentioned in a football-related heated atmosphere in the anonymity of the crowd to the detriment of third parties and police officers. With regard to the football match on 22 March 2026, it is to be feared that the aforementioned objects may also be used in the course of attacks on emergency services or uninvolved third parties. The commission of criminal offences and administrative offences and thus violations of the legal system by these groups of people is to be expected on this match day, so that a concrete danger exists.

Furthermore, according to internal association regulations, this football match is considered a match with an increased security risk, for which there is sufficient probability based on general experience that a dangerous situation will occur at the event.

According to the assessment of the emergency services, the atmosphere in the designated area is considered to be aggressive and violent compared to other locations in the city in relation to the specific upcoming match event, as police measures could be vigorously resisted or even actively attacked, meaning that in many cases the situation could only be defused with the help of direct coercion. It is therefore sufficiently likely that the objects listed under point 1 a will be used as projectiles or weapons against (uninvolved) third parties or officers. Due to the previously described risk prognosis that there will be crowds of people in and around the stadium due to the high-risk match, so that the police officers and other persons present could be injured, the conditions for issuing the order for the objects covered by the ban in accordance with § 31a para. 2 SächsPBG are met.

The objects listed under 1 b are suitable and, under the circumstances, intended to ward off enforcement measures by the police.

Furthermore, the objects listed under 1 c are suitable for appearing in a form which, under the circumstances, is intended to prevent identification. At past matches, fans have masked themselves before using pyrotechnic products by using the aforementioned items, thus evading detection by the police and subsequent criminal liability.

2.3 Discretion

2.3.1 Discretionary judgement

As the factual requirements of Section 31a (1) and (2) SächsPBG are met, the issuance of the police order under Section 1 of this general ruling is at the discretion of the City of Chemnitz.

The findings of the security authorities show that a certain state of emergency prevailed at certain match events. In view of the local conditions and the densely packed crowds there, the use of the aforementioned objects poses a concrete danger to public safety and, if the security authorities do not intervene, leads to a violation of the high-ranking legal right to health and life of the persons present or even uninvolved persons and emergency services. There is also a concrete threat to the property or possessions of individuals, for example through the removal of fan paraphernalia such as club scarves, flags and so on. Further interference must therefore be prevented at all costs.

The City of Chemnitz therefore considers it appropriate and necessary to intervene under security law in order to avert the dangers described for all persons concerned and their property or possessions. The issuance of the order under No. 1 of this general ruling is therefore in accordance with due discretion.

2.3.2 Proportionality and weighing of judgements

The order is suitable, necessary and appropriate to ensure effective security. A milder but equally suitable means of averting the specific danger to life and limb of humans and animals as well as property or possessions is not apparent. Only the ordering of the prohibited objects appears to be effective and promising. The order is therefore necessary and suitable to fulfil the requirements laid down by law.

The necessity of the order under number 1 results from the following considerations:

a. Purpose of the order

The order serves the legitimate purpose of averting danger to life and limb of the persons present, police officers and uninvolved third parties in the area one stadium on Gellertstraße. As mentioned above, there is a concrete danger that police officers may be actively attacked or that visitors and uninvolved third parties may be seriously injured by the objects listed under point 1 a (Section 31a (1) no. 1 SächsPBG), which currently jeopardises their right to physical integrity (Article 2 (2) sentence 1 of the Basic Law (GG)). In addition, the objects listed under point 1 b serve to ward off enforcement measures by the police enforcement service (Section 31a (1) no. 2 SächsPBG) or the objects listed under point 1 c to appear in a guise that is suitable and, under the circumstances, intended to prevent identification.

b. Suitability of the order

The order is suitable for achieving this purpose. A measure is suitable if it achieves or at least promotes the purpose pursued. The order fulfils the legislative provision of Section 31a (2) SächsPBG and designates the objects covered by the prohibition in Section 31a (1) SächsPBG.

c. Necessity of the order

The order under section 1 is also necessary to achieve this purpose. A measure is necessary if there is no milder means that would bring about the same result and would be less burdensome for those affected.

The order must be issued to enforce the ban on weapons pursuant to Section 31a para. 1 no. 1, second alternative of the ban on protective equipment pursuant to Section 31a para. 1 no. 2 as well as the ban on wearing masks pursuant to Section 31a para. 1 no. 3, as no milder, equally effective means are recognisable. Active attacks on police officers and third parties can only be prevented in this way.

A massive police presence and the enforcement of police measures is also not an equally effective and expedient means. Due to the vastness of the area and the crowds of people, which experience has shown to be densely packed, the police can only partially control the designated area. Communicative measures have little effect on the clientele concerned. With increasing alcoholisation, security problems increase and the already low willingness of the people present to cooperate decreases.

It is therefore to be expected that there will be repeated assaults on the emergency services and that they will injure themselves as a result. Against this background, an increased police presence and the enforcement of police measures should not be considered as a milder measure. Due to the imminent dangers, the order is necessary and represents the only equally effective means of protecting the citizens of Chemnitz, the emergency services and uninvolved third parties from (significant) injuries.

The specified spatial and temporal limitation is necessary, as a narrower limitation would not be equally suitable. An even narrower spatial limitation would not fulfil the purpose of the measure equally well. According to the findings of the security authorities, the localities in the defined scope are the minimum extent of a spatial intervention in order to prevent dangers to life and limb of people and animals as well as property or possessions.

It is appropriate to base the order on the spatial scope of the event site and the streets surrounding the stadium. It is also appropriate to include the direct access and approach routes to the stadium as well as places and focal points known to the police, where there have been repeated disturbances of public safety and order in the past, in the spatial scope of the general order.

The same applies to the time restriction, which relates to a period from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., which covers a time frame of just over three hours before and four hours after the match. Experience has shown that people are likely to gather in the immediate vicinity of the stadium during this time in particular. Particularly as a result of the match kicking off at 2.00 p.m., a large number of people are expected to gather at the stadium from 11.00 a.m. at the latest due to general life experience and the possibility of travelling by train and coach from the Jena fan scene. By travelling individually, the fans from Jena are not bound to specific times, which could lead to a meeting of both fan camps after the match. Possible police measures could also delay the departure.

d. Appropriateness of the order

The ban ordered under point 1 is also appropriate and therefore proportionate in the narrower sense. This is the case if the disadvantages associated with the measure are not disproportionate to the intended purpose of the measure.

The assessment to be carried out in accordance with the principle of proportionality shows that the intended purpose cannot be achieved in the same way with another measure that is less intrusive. Although the ban represents a fundamental restriction of the general freedom of action, the interference is minor because it remains possible to leave the items in question at home and attend the football match in the stadium without these items. Both the spatial and temporal scope were kept as small as possible. The bans only apply in the immediate vicinity of the stadium on Gellertstraße, where, according to the police, large gatherings of people are expected and experience has shown that these areas are the most crowded. This spatial limitation is kept as narrow as possible and can be left quickly, so that only a short-term disturbance of the individual occurs. The time restriction from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. also complies with the principle of proportionality. Furthermore, the City of Chemnitz's approach is also proportionate in the narrower sense, as the less disruptive means for all those affected has been chosen in comparison to an entry ban or exclusion of spectators. In relation to the individual rights affected here, in particular the constitutionally protected freedom of occupation and general freedom of action, the interests of the general public in physical integrity, which are particularly worthy of protection in accordance with Art. 2 para. 2 sentence 1 GG, prevail. An unconstitutional encroachment on the fundamental rights of those affected is not apparent: there is no violation of the general freedom of action guaranteed by Article 2 (1) of the Basic Law. It is true that the scope of protection of Art. 2 para. 1 GG, which protects every self-determined human action, is open. This also includes the carrying and use of the objects mentioned. However, the general freedom of action is limited by the rights of third parties, the constitutional order and the moral law. The waiver of the right to carry and use the listed objects does represent a restriction, but this has been justified by the legislator in § 31a SächsPBG. There is a concrete risk of a considerable danger to life and limb as well as property and possessions of persons in the area of the eins stadium on Gellertstraße. Weighing up the public interest against the comparatively minor interference with the general freedom of action of those affected, the measure is duly discretionary and, in particular, proportionate in the narrow sense. The measure is the appropriate and least intrusive means of preventing danger to life and limb as well as property and possessions of citizens and of ensuring the physical integrity of the general public in accordance with Article 2 (2) sentence 1 of the Basic Law.

3. to number 4: Order of immediate execution

Objections and actions for annulment against the regulatory orders in items 1 to 3 under item 4 of this general ruling have no suspensive effect, as immediate enforcement has been ordered.

The order for immediate enforcement is based on Section 80 (2) sentence 1 no. 4 and (3) of the VwGO. The order for immediate enforcement is in the public interest. The special public interest in the immediate enforcement of number 1 arises from the urgent need to avert danger to life and limb, in particular from persons, emergency and security forces on public roads, paths and squares. The general public has a legitimate interest in the creation of conditions to avert danger to the life and health of people and animals as well as vehicles and to be effectively protected from danger. In particular, the right to physical integrity (Art. 2 Para. 2 Sentence 1 GG) and the right to property and ownership (Art. 14 GG) must be protected. When weighing up the interests of the endangered emergency services, persons, animals and vehicles in the area of application of this general ruling, the associated need to avert danger to the general public and the interests of those affected in waiting until the legality of point 1 of this general ruling has been finally clarified (cf. Art. 19 Para. 4 Sentence 1 GG), the interests of those affected must, in the opinion of the City of Chemnitz, take second place.

Waiting until the decision becomes unappealable would mean that the listed objects would continue to be carried and used in the area of the one stadium on Gellertstraße, which is unacceptable due to the above description of the dangers to life and limb of humans and animals as well as to property and possessions. However, the associated risks to the health and lives of people and the associated threat to physical integrity require immediate intervention under security law. The private interest in the use of the listed objects in the public domain must take a back seat to the important protected goods for the temporally and locally limited area of application.

4. to item 5: Publication

This general ruling and the reasons for it are publicly announced in accordance with Section 1 of the Saxon Administrative Procedure and Service of Documents Act (SächsVwVfZG) in conjunction with Section 41 (3) of the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG), as notification to the parties involved is not possible due to the circumstances of the case.

is not possible. The public announcement is made in accordance with Sections 1 SächsVwVfZG, 41 Para. 4 VwVfG in conjunction with Sections 1 and 2 of the statutes of the City of Chemnitz on the form of public announcement and the customary local announcement (announcement statutes) of 5 May 2021 by the public announcement of this general ruling in the electronic edition of the official gazette of the City of Chemnitz on the website of the City of Chemnitz at www.chemnitz.de/amtsblatt.

In accordance with Section 41 (4) VwVfG, the public announcement of a written administrative act is deemed to have been made two weeks after the customary local announcement. However, in order to counteract the specific threat to life and limb, use was made of the option under Section 41 para. 4 sentence 4 VwVfG and an earlier announcement date was chosen.

The final and matchday-related risk forecast from the Chemnitz Police Directorate was not available to the district police authority until the 12th calendar week. In order to prevent the current concrete danger immediately, it was necessary to announce the general ruling in this way. Pursuant to Section 41 (4) sentence 4 VwVfG in conjunction with Section 7 (1) of the Publication Statutes, this general ruling is deemed to have been announced on the day following its public announcement.

III Notice of legal remedies

An objection to this general ruling may be lodged within one month of its public announcement. The objection must be lodged in writing, in electronic form in accordance with Section 3a (2) of the Administrative Procedure Act, in written form in accordance with Section 3a (3) of the Administrative Procedure Act and Section 9a (5) of the Online Access Act or for recording at the City of Chemnitz, Markt 1, 09111 Chemnitz or at any other office or citizen service centre of the City of Chemnitz.

If the objection is lodged in writing in accordance with Section 3a (3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, the following options are available:

1. Use of the online application "Submit an objection" available on the website of Office 24 (www.amt24.sachsen.de) and identification via eID
2. in the case of legal representation by submitting via the special public authority mailbox (beBPo) "Stadt Chemnitz".

Notes:

1. also prohibited are all objects that are subject to the Weapons Act or the Explosives Act. Examples of this are firearms, knuckledusters, deadly clubs, pointed throwing stars or pyrotechnic products.

2. objects to which an offence under § 31a SächsPBG relates can be confiscated. § Section 74a of the Criminal Code applies accordingly.

3. any person may receive printouts of the electronic official gazette of the City of Chemnitz free of charge during general opening hours. It is also possible to have printouts sent to you against reimbursement of postage costs.

Chemnitz, 19 March 2026

Knut Kunze

Mayor