Banned From Germany [Archive]

Vetal

16 Jun 2006, 07:45 AM

AGF Aarhus

16 Jun 2006, 07:55 AM

Hey guys

A quick question:

I got arrested in Dortmund on Wednesday before the Germany - Poland game. After spending the night at the station, the police informed me that I'm banned from Germany for the duration of the World Cup. If I get stopped again I would have to spend 5 days in jail and pay a fine. I'm neither Polish nor German (I'm Canadian, of all things), I am not a hooligan, and I did absolutely nothing before getting arrested. But I guess if you are two meters tall, have a bald head, and a last name that ends in "ski" - it's enough! There were no charges against me, but they did put my name and picture in their records.

The big PROBLEM is - I have tickets for two games next week. So the question is - will they be able to trace me through the name on the ticket? Or, alternatively, is there a way of appealing/getting around this ban?
In my completely unqualified opinion, I would remain in the country, go to the games, but be extra careful not only to stay out of trouble, but to stay out of situations that could get you in to trouble.

If your name is in the system, they are not going to go looking for you, it just means that if they pick you up for something else you could be in trouble. I suppose it is possible that they would pass the info along to FIFA and have your tickets invalidated. I find that unlikely, but even if they did, the consequence would only be that you show up at the stadium and your ticket doesn't work. That would suck, but it's no worse than going home tomorrow.

Can you appeal? honestly, I doubt it.

guyarthur

16 Jun 2006, 08:11 AM

at least you have a great story for your grandkids!

Vetal

16 Jun 2006, 08:12 AM

The problem is that, according to what he told me, I am not allowed to be in Gemany AT ALL - so scanning the ticket, and seeing my name will give them a reason to stop me.

I know it sounds ridiculous but, apparently, police in Germany follow rules really strictly ...

AGF Aarhus

16 Jun 2006, 08:30 AM

The problem is that, according to what he told me, I am not allowed to be in Gemany AT ALL - so scanning the ticket, and seeing my name will give them a reason to stop me.
Nah, but it isn't the police who scan the ticket, so that shouldn't be a problem.

I'm not saying you don't have a problem here, I'm just saying that in my opinion I think you should be OK.

Just curious, were you given a time frame to leave? I mean, if the flights are all booked ... . I was once given 24 hours to leave the UK on an immigration violation (long story, but I was flying out 6 hours later, anyway). But even if I'd stayed, I would only have had a problem had I been picked up on something else.

It sounds a bit like driving on a suspended license. As long as you don't get caught for something else, you're fine. But if you do, you're screwed.

fedwood

16 Jun 2006, 08:35 AM

damn that sux
if I were you I would go to the Canadian consulate and seek their advice
if worst comes to worse you can watch the WC game and spend a few days in a cell

210597

16 Jun 2006, 08:47 AM

They do stuff like that all the time in the league, except instead of throwing fans out of the country, obviously, they're just given stadium bans for nothing at all, being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If I were you, I would try to stay and try to stay away from any and all trouble.

AGF Aarhus

16 Jun 2006, 08:48 AM

I would only be concerned that going to the Canadian consulate would end up in your being repatriated.

I don't want to advise you to do something stupid. I would just look at this from two angles:

1. What is likely to happen:
My opinion is nothing, but possibly you get turned away at the gate.

2. What is the worst case scenario:
You get picked up for something (maybe even for trying to get into the stadium, but I doubt it). You can get 5 days in jail. That's a maximum, so you probably wouldn't get that, but this is the worst case, so let's say you spend 5 days in jail. A German jail won't be THAT bad, and it won't be on your record back home. You would also be banned for 5 years or so from travelling to Germany. So the question is, is that risk worth taking. What games are we walking about here?

EuropeanSoccerFan

16 Jun 2006, 08:49 AM

Nah, but it isn't the police who scan the ticket, so that shouldn't be a problem.

I'm not saying you don't have a problem here, I'm just saying that in my opinion I think you should be OK.

Just curious, were you given a time frame to leave? I mean, if the flights are all booked ... . I was once given 24 hours to leave the UK on an immigration violation (long story, but I was flying out 6 hours later, anyway). But even if I'd stayed, I would only have had a problem had I been picked up on something else.

It sounds a bit like driving on a suspended license. As long as you don't get caught for something else, you're fine. But if you do, you're screwed.
Yes, I see it exactly the same way. Police will not actively search for you; but it can become nasty if something else happens - perhaps having an accident. But I wonder what exactly police have told you - did you actually get a document or something like this telling you to get out of germany? Else you could play it dumb (saying you weren´t told, you did understand it in a different way or you are actually on your way out but weren´t able yet). I think police just wants too scare you away - there is really nothing behind it.

Police does not check the tickets at the entrance of the stadiums - and if you are not extremly unlucky not even your ID at all. I seriously doubt police have made your tickets invalid (not sure they even can do it technically) - because in my opinion they couldn´t do without any charge. Else you should have a (second) reason to sue the police.

But you should stay away from all (potential) trouble - and perhaps change your look. Why not wear some of those fancy hats?

Tim 17

16 Jun 2006, 09:02 AM

I'm sorry but i just can't resist.

A Canadian not knowing the rules/laws in a European country you've got to be kidding!!

Tim.

NoNick

16 Jun 2006, 11:53 AM

Hey guys

A quick question:

I got arrested in Dortmund on Wednesday before the Germany - Poland game. After spending the night at the station, the police informed me that I'm banned from Germany for the duration of the World Cup. If I get stopped again I would have to spend 5 days in jail and pay a fine. I'm neither Polish nor German (I'm Canadian, of all things), I am not a hooligan, and I did absolutely nothing before getting arrested. But I guess if you are two meters tall, have a bald head, and a last name that ends in "ski" - it's enough! There were no charges against me, but they did put my name and picture in their records.

The big PROBLEM is - I have tickets for two games next week. So the question is - will they be able to trace me through the name on the ticket? Or, alternatively, is there a way of appealing/getting around this ban?

The problem is, that my english is too poor to explain it to you. I'll wirte it in german, try a translator (abacho e.g) or ask the schalker (210597) to translate it for you:

Glaube mir, ich kenne mich aus mit der Problematik. Die Polizei ist sehr, sehr nervös im Moment und ich bin sicher, dass bei der WM auch Unschuldige von Maßnahmen betroffen werden! Wer sich auch nur in der Nähe einer Gruppe aufhält, die randaliert, gerät in Gefahr.
Allerdings gibt es in Deutschland für jeden die Möglichkeit, gegen Maßnahmen der POlizei Widerspruch einzulegen. Dafür gibt es besondere Gerichte, es ist das Verwaltungsgricht (dort kann man alle Entscheidungen und Maßnahmen der öffentlichen Behörden überprüfen lassen!). Eigentlich müßtest du ein Schriftstück über die "Verfügungen" der Polizei bekommen haben oder zumindest eine Belehrung über deine Rechte.
Nehme am besten Kontakt mit deinem Konsulat auf und gehe dagegen vor!