There is no game in whole sporting world like football which gives the stupendous pumping of tension, irritation, togetherness and awe. The beautiful game have indeed many time shown the perilous side of the crowd reaction, not only violence but also helpless situation like stadium crashing, people dying in rush. But the Bundesliga game between Borussia Dortmund and FC Mainz saw a fan collapsing in the stands due to a heart attack, which stole his life as well. It is reported that the demised person was 80 years old and was standing in the south-west stand of the Signal Iduna Park, home ground of the German giants.

Borussia Dortmund vs FC Mainz

The game was pulsating and the atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, the type of hype the stadium is renowned for. As the tragic of the news incident propelled into the whole of the stadium, the fans went silent hearing the death of their compatriot of the club. It was also reported that another fan was nearing a same end but was brought back to life after giving proper treatment en route to hospital.

The game was almost played in saddened silence thereafter, and continued till the final whistle.

But believe the statement “Nothing pays back your loyalty as a fan better than football”, as the statement was put into practice after the game. When the final whistle was blown certifying a 2-0 win for the Dortmund club, the whole team grouped together to pay respect to the demised, and sang together with their fans, an emotional tribute to their lost fan in the form of club’s anthem, ‘You will never walk alone’.

It was also an exhibition of brotherhood and friendship as the FC Mainz’s fans also participated in this tribute, showing that being football fans of opposite clubs only makes them rivals, but not enemies. After the game, more and more Bundesliga clubs expressed their condolences in the demise of the Borussia Dortmund fan.

Borussia Dortmund president Reinhard Rauball also expressed his heartfelt sympathy for the fan, and extended his thoughts for the fan’s family. He also added that he could not concentrate on the game after the sad news spread.

But it is not just that. The soul of the dead fan, wherever it is, should be proud on how his favourite team and its fans gave him a tribute in a unified manner. The scarves were held high and the anthem was sung aloud in a greatly respectful manner emphasizing how much gratitude the team has for the fan. This is indeed one of the greatest emotional game in the history of German football.

The opening goal scorer, Marco Reus also expressed his grief saying nobody on the ground knew what was going around, and was irritated by the sudden silence.

But the players showed what a fan means to them. It was a complete showcasing of togetherness that this wonderful game provides. Football is not just about the players and scores, it is about the fans too.

Tags: Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga, FC Mainz, Football, Germany, Signal Iduna Park