The riots by the supporters during the 1. FC Köln European Cup game at OGC Nice on September 8 now have criminal consequences.

In the preliminary investigations pending at the Cologne Public Prosecutor's Office, the police have executed arrest warrants issued by the Cologne District Court against those allegedly involved in the crime.

This was announced by the Cologne police on Wednesday.

Five people were arrested.

According to the information, investigators have been searching apartments and houses in Cologne, Hürth, Pulheim and Bergisch Gladbach since the early hours of the morning with the support of the riot police.

The public prosecutor's office and the police intend to announce further details on the status of the investigation and the results of the operation at 2 p.m. at the Cologne police headquarters.

The North Rhine-Westphalian Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) thanked the police and witnesses.

He was happy "that the police and public prosecutor's office have consistently investigated and were able to identify and arrest several violent criminals in a short time," Reul told the German Press Agency in Düsseldorf on Wednesday.

"Strong sign of the rule of law"

Several hundred officers from North Rhine-Westphalia were involved in the morning searches in the greater Cologne area.

“In addition to them, thanks also go to numerous witnesses who used the police information portal very intensively.

The videos of the riots were very helpful for the investigation.” The pictures of the riots at the game on September 8 were appalling, the minister said.

“Apparently these people only have one thing in mind: riots, riots and violence.

It has nothing to do with football or fan culture.”

The police union (GdP) rated the operation as a “strong sign of the rule of law”.

Now the 1. FC Köln, but also other football clubs are required, said the NRW chairman of the GdP, Michael Mertens: "Now stadium bans have to come."

1. FC Köln has already been fined by UEFA for the fan riots.

The Rhinelanders were fined 100,000 euros, and no tickets may be sold to Cologne fans in the next two away games in the Conference League.

The firing of pyrotechnics, the throwing of objects and the unrest in the stands at the game in Nice were penalized.