Not only on the back pages has the cup tie on Wednesday against Union Berlin been discussed. The entrance checks prior to, as well as the departure of the fans after the game, were also intensively talked about. Borussia Dortmund wishes to comment here on unjust accusations, and will explain the reasons why.

It is proven every 14 days that the police, the public order office, the Deutsche Bahn rail service, the DSW21 public transport group with their light rail network and busses, as well as Borussia Dortmund are able to cooperate with each other so that more than 81,000 fans are able to safely reach and leave the stadium before and after every home game. It cannot be denied that this uniquely high number of spectators in German football, coupled in part to conferences taking place simultaneously in the Westfalenhallen, building works on the main access roads as well as other exceptional circumstances, can, on occasion, lead to problems.

Prior to the cup match, reports came from Berlin that groups among Berlin's supporters were planning to set off a huge amount of fireworks (operative word: inferno), and that these reports were to be taken seriously. In order to avoid incidents similar to those during the cup game against Dynamo Dresden in October 2011, or to those during the Champions League match against Galatasaray Istanbul in November 2014, or to at least contain them as far as possible, due to the fact that those games were almost called off because of the very large amount of fireworks being set off by supporters of the visiting team in each case, we decided, in full agreement with the authorities, to intensify entrance checks, and to thoroughly check visiting fans.

As such, fireworks were seized on 35 occasions. In doing so, we were able to ensure that a greater number of innocent spectators, who themselves were not involved in such actions, were not placed in unnecessary danger than, unfortunately, has been the case previously. That such checks, which are justifiably comprehensive, take longer, is a logical consequence. However, it was not only these intensive checks which led to greater delays, but also the behaviour of some Berlin fans. Two underground trains were damaged by them, meaning they could no longer be used, something which seriously affected the train timetable. In other cases, emergency brakes were pulled without good cause, and so many Union fans arrived late simultaneously at the Signal Iduna Park.

Further incidents in the entrance area caused by Union Berlin supporters, for whom, incidentally, 46 entrance points were available, resulted in the locking of the entrance area in front of the north stand for 15 minutes (9 entrance points were affected). At no time was there a technical problem with the turnstiles or gates.

It was not organisational deficiencies, rather the setting off of fireworks that put people in danger. A female spectator had to be carried from her stand (61) by the German Red Cross due to injuries caused by thick smoke.

Borussia Dortmund has no influence on the arrival and departure of spectators by car, bus or train. Nevertheless, those complaints voiced with regard to the cup game will be looked at and incorporated as part of our ongoing dialogue with DSW21 and the Deutsche Bahn train service so as to effect improvements for all home and away fans.