Hamburg defender Toni Leistner landed himself in trouble as he clashed with fans in the stands during a German Cup match with Dynamo Dresden.
Dresden defeated Hamburg 4-1 on Monday in front of 10,053 fans, which was the biggest attendance at a German football game since coronavirus restrictions began in March.
Yannick Stark scored in the third minute for Dresden’s earliest German Cup goal yet, and Robin Becker and Christoph Daferner added two more.
Amadou Onana scored late for Hamburg, but Sebastian Mai replied with a penalty in injury time for Dresden.
However, the major talking point was off the pitch as Leistner jumped into the stand and shoved a Dresden fan after what he told Sky TV were "massive insults" against his family. Objects continued to rain down on him before he broke off the interview. Leistner was born in Dresden and has played for the team.
He later wrote on Instagram that the remarks against his family, partner and daughter were “under the belt”.
He apologised and promised to never again react the way he did, “regardless what insults are thrown at me”.
Dresden said on Twitter: “Toni Leistner is a Dresden boy whose heart is in the right place.”
Dresden were relegated from the second division last season after the team was forced to quarantine following coronavirus infections.
Dresden were already bottom of the division and could not resume with the rest of the league in May, further disadvantaging the side’s survival hopes.
Hamburg stayed in the second division. The former Bundesliga heavyweights have high hopes of finally returning under new coach Daniel Thioune, who no longer needs to worry about competing in the cup.
