Concerns grow over German violence

A weekend mass brawl between around 200 football fans in downtown Cologne, during which one man was critically injured, has led to concern about growing violence in German football.

German sports sociologist Gunter A Pilz told DPA on Monday that the "dangerous development" has to do with "long-time hooligans, neo-Nazis and smaller ultra-fan groups" joining forces.

"These groups are fascinated with violence," Pilz said.

The fans engaged in the fight on a square in downtown Cologne on Saturday ahead of a friendly between the second division leaders Cologne and Bundesliga club Schalke.

One man was critically injured, but is now out of danger after emergency surgery.

"It was pure luck that we didn't have to mourn the first dead," said Arnold Plickert, police union head in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia where Cologne is located.

Plickert said the union supports plans of the state government for tougher action against violent fans, including "looking into whether these groups have the structures of criminal organisations".