Schalke players and staff have been pelted with eggs by their fans after being relegated from the Bundesliga for the first time in 30 years. Schalke suffered a 1-0 defeat at Arminia Bielefeldi on Tuesday night to confirm their relegation for next season.
For Schalke, where Shkodran Mustafi plays, this was the 21st loss this season. After returning from Bielefeld, Schalke's players were pelted with eggs by fans on Wednesday as around 600 of them gathered outside the stadium in protest.
Gelsenkirchen police said fans had set off fireworks while waiting for the players to get off the club bus.
"As soon as the team arrived and got off the bus there were violent protests," police said in a statement. "The players were attacked with eggs, as well as verbally attacked by the fans." In response to the incident, Schalke said that some "unidentified individuals clearly crossed lines that are not discussed". "While there is understandable disappointment and anger at the relegation, the club will never accept it when the physical integrity of its players and staff is put at risk," Schalke said.
Bundesliga runners-up in 2018, Schalke is one of the best-supported clubs in Germany, attracting more than 60.000 fans to its home games.
Schalke's players, including Sead Kolasinac & Shkodran Mustafi, had to flee from an angry mob of fans last night after their 1-0 loss away to Arminia Bielefeld which confirmed their relegation to the 2.Bundesliga. ?☠️
- FutbolBible (@FutbolBible) April 21, 2021
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