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Gerald Asamoah could be seen that he had gotten little sleep in the past two nights.

Even two days after the events surrounding the team, it was not easy for the Schalke 04 team manager to talk about it.

"I'm still not doing so well," said the 44-year-old ex-international.

He had “two images” in his head from that night: that of an employee “lying on the ground and being kicked” and that of assistant trainer Mike Büskens, “who was afraid to look at”.

According to Asamoah, he will "never forget" all of this.

On Thursday, Asamoah and Schalke's sports director Peter Knäbel presented themselves to the public, talking for the first time about the riots in the arena in the hours after the descent of the Royal Blues was established.

Both those responsible admitted mistakes - on behalf of security staff who had apparently misjudged the situation.

Peter Knäbel admitted on Thursday that the situation had been misjudged after the game against Bielefeld

Source: dpa / Federico Gambarini

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"The most important thing is the clear message that we condemn any form of violence in the strongest possible way," said Knäbel and announced a detailed analysis of the events - with the relevant authorities and with the police.

“Did any mistakes happen there?” Said Knäbel.

“For God's sake: yes.

Things have been damaged.

We can be grateful that nothing serious has happened to any of our staff and players. "

Schalke's security team misjudged the situation

The mistakes that made the fights against the players possible apparently happened more on the club's side than with the police.

This already shows a first reconstruction of the events.

However, it was not the case that no precautions had been taken.

Ten days ago, work began on possible scenarios.

A working group with the participation of security personnel and fan representatives had been set up for this purpose.

The Gelsenkirchen police were there, but only intervened when it was too late

Source: dpa / Fabian Strauch

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On Tuesday evening, when Schalke lost 1-0 in Bielefeld and were relegated mathematically, there would have been a scenario in the event that riots had already broken out in Bielefeld. But nothing happened there. Then the team went home in the bus. “We had a manager on site in Gelsenkirchen who assessed the situation there. He told us that there were around 60 to 70 fans there, but that it didn't look like a major event, ”said Knäbel. It was then decided to continue the journey in the team bus.

"Then came the information that a larger group had gained access to the cordoned-off area around the arena," said Knäbel.

The bus then stopped at the Resser Mark service area, just before the motorway exit to the arena.

There was a conference call.

But after Schalke employees said there was no increased risk of taking the bus to the security area around the arena, it was decided to do so.

They also refrained from being escorted by the police, who were already there with hundreds of them - even though it had been offered by the police.

This was also recommended by the company's own security guards.

Schalke professional followed up to the front door

Then the disaster took its course: the team arrived and got off the bus.

The fans initially said, "We should come out and shut up," said Asamoah.

Thereupon “a spokesman would have started and given his opinion”.

After that everything happened very quickly: There were sudden attacks and massive aggression.

Some players then fled.

Cars were demolished.

The police did not arrive until a few minutes later, and the situation at least calmed down on site.

Then the players were examined.

However, no major injuries were found.

The car of a Schalke player with a damaged windshield is parked at the arena

Source: dpa / Bernd Thissen

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Hours later, Knäbel, Asamoah and other colleagues phoned the individual players to make sure that they had come home safely.

Suat Serdar is said to have even been followed by "fans" to his apartment door.

A player slept in the hotel.

Mark Uth, whose car had been destroyed, was driven home.

The team should not get back together until Friday morning.

It is not yet clear whether training will take place then.

"That depends on the condition of the boys," said Asamoah.