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Bayern fans apologise after photographers injured at Real game / Photo: © AFP
Bayern fans apologise after photographers injured at Real game
Bayern Munich supporters have apologised after several photographers were injured when fans stormed over barriers at the end of Wednesday's home Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
With scores level in the tie, Bayern's Luis Diaz and Michael Olise both scored late in the match to send the German champions through to the final four of the competition.
A group of fans from the Bayern ultras section climbed over barriers while celebrating, trampling pitch-side photographers.
Writing on social media, Reuters photographer Kai Pfaffenbach posted a picture of himself lying on the ground accompanied by a medical report saying he was "unconscious" after being overrun by fans at the end of the match.
"For those asking, I'm fine. A few bruises but no fractures or brain damage," Pfaffenbach said alongside a series of photos.
"But one question: how could this have happened at a football match?"
Another photographer suffered a head laceration and another needed medical attention for back and shoulder injuries.
One of the injured photographers told AFP that fans had already climbed a barrier and were waiting "for several minutes" before advancing into the pitch-side photographer's area.
"If security staff had reacted and implemented the security measures, if they had intervened beforehand and protected us, or sent them back, then this could certainly have been avoided."
Bayern Munich has been in contact with the injured photographers, as well as with the supporters, who have apologised for the incident.
Bayern supporter organisation Club Nr. 12 told AFP the group "regret the injuries sustained by the media representatives" during the match.
"To our knowledge, an exchange has already taken place between FC Bayern Munich and at least some of the fans involved, in which they expressed their deep regret for the accidental injuries and apologised.
"We believe this is the right approach and therefore welcome this action and the swift communication.
"We wish all those affected a speedy recovery."
Earlier in the competition, Bayern's southern stand made headlines for repeated use of pyrotechnics and was partially closed by governing body UEFA.
UEFA told AFP subsidiary SID on Thursday the organisation was aware of the incident but did not indicate yet whether an investigation would be launched.
E.Walker--SFF
