LAST UPDATE | 12 Oct 2025

GERMAN FOOTBALL CLUB Schalke has issued an apology and said it is investigating an alleged incident of assault by its supporters in Dublin yesterday afternoon. 

The German team were in Dublin yesterday for a friendly match against Bohemians. Schalke lost to Bohs 3-2. 

Footage of a large crowd of Schalke supporters marching along Abbey Street yesterday afternoon was shared online, with one female photographer capturing the scene.

In the video of the incident, one man amongst the Schalke supporters reaches out to push the woman’s camera out of the way. A man steps in between them, and is pushed to the ground.

Today in Dublin, I went to photograph what I thought was a parade. They grabbed my camera & pushed Steve over. They then kicked him in the head, unable to get up they continued to kick him. They were Schalke football hooligans. I'm so appalled & disgusted!! #schalkehooligans pic.twitter.com/48qNrff2vP

— Carly Clarke (@ClarkeCarly) October 11, 2025

The photographer who shared the video said he was repeatedly kicked in the head by the German football fans.

“Today in Dublin, I went to photograph what I thought was a parade,” she wrote.

“They grabbed my camera [and] pushed Steve over. They then kicked him in the head, unable to get up they continued to kick him. They were Schalke football hooligans. I’m so appalled [and] disgusted.”

The football team responded on social media. It offered its apologies to those affected.

“Violence in any form is completely unacceptable and stands in absolute contradiction to the values and principles of our club,” the team said.

“We are taking the incident very seriously and will fully support the investigation as a club. Until then, we ask for your understanding that we will not be commenting further at this time.”

It’s understood that gardaí are carrying out enquiries into the incident, although no one has yet made a formal complaint.

Several other more minor acts of anti-social behaviour by the Schalke supporters were shared online. Another video shows the group chanting while they pass through Capel Street, with one man banging on the window of a restaurant at patrons.

This afternoon, the club issued another statement on the matter and said some 2,000 fans had travelled to Dublin for the friendly match.

“The photos that have been circulating on social media since yesterday afternoon are disturbing and hard to process. These incidents are completely unjustifiable and have overshadowed the trip to the extent that we, as a club, feel the need to issue a clear statement,” the club said on social media.

It said it expects its supporters to behave in a manner that is “respectful and responsible”, and the behaviour of some fans in Dublin yesterday creates a “damaging” perception of the club.

“We utterly condemn these incidents,” it said, adding that as previously announced, it would be investigating the matter and taking appropriate action.