German policeman might have broken spine in clash with soccer hooligans
BOCHUM, Germany -- A policeman was hospitalized and is believed to have a broken spine from a clash with hooligans at a Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Bochum and Karlsruher SC.
Two other officers were hurt Saturday when they protected the officer after he was knocked down by the hooligans and kicked in the head and body during Bochum's 2-2 draw, police said Sunday.
One officer had face wounds, another had hand injuries, and the hospitalized officer could be paralyzed.
"It could be very dangerous, but we won't know until tomorrow when experts look at him," Bochum police captain Thomas Achtelik said.
Police arrested two men but said it wasn't clear whether they were hooligans, which Achtelik described as aggressive "ultras" -- Germany's most hardcore hooligans.
Karlsruhe fans were tossed from the stadium just before kickoff for fighting. Outside they were joined by about 100 hooligans, police said. Together they tried to crash the stadium gates, overwhelming security personnel and resulting in the fight with police.
Police clashes with hooligans happen regularly in Germany, but its rare an officer is seriously injured.
In Leipzig, 40 to 60 masked people wielding bats and fireworks attacked fans of FC Sachsen while they were at a sports bar Christmas party.
Police said the injured fans refused medical attention, although some were bleeding, and wouldn't help identify their attackers. Outside the bar, car windows were broken and tires slashed.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
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