BERLIN — The French policeman who was left in a coma following a brutal beating from German soccer hooligans throughout the 1998 World Cup is to attend a pleasant between the 2 nations in September.
Daniel Nivel accepted an invite to attend the match in Dortmund on Sept. 12, the German soccer federation stated on Tuesday, virtually 25 years to the day after the near-fatal assault.
German chancellor Helmut Kohl known as it “a national scandal” on the time.
On June 21, 1998, a gaggle of 30 German hooligans beat Nivel in Lens, leaving him in a coma for six weeks and with different accidents from which he by no means recovered. Nivel was paralyzed on one aspect of his physique, misplaced his sense of scent and style, and misplaced sight in a single eye.
“The attack on Daniel Nivel 25 years ago is one of the darkest chapters in German soccer history,” federation president Bernd Neuendorf stated. “I am moved by Daniel Nivel’s courage to face life and the brave attitude of his wife Lorette.”
Neuendorf stated he was more than happy that the Nivels accepted his private invitation to attend the match and the federation will give them “a very warm welcome to Dortmund.”
The federation stated it should host a week-long collection of occasions to focus on the problem of soccer-related violence from Sept. 5.
“The theme week is intended to raise awareness of the problem of violence in soccer and to make it clear that soccer pitches are not above the law,” Neuendorf stated.
Last month, a 15-year-old participant from Berlin died after a post-match brawl involving a French group at a global youth match.
“It is the ultimate challenge to all of us to take a firm stand against violence – in soccer and in society as a whole,” Neuendorf stated on the time.
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