Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Friday, April 17, 2026, 12:13 / Updated Friday, April 17, 2026 12:13
Strasbourg eliminated Mainz, 4-0, despite having lost the first leg 0-2. The Germans lost their nerve at the end.
The gesture that drove the Mainz players out of their minds happened after the final whistle, in front of the section of supporters from Germany. Strasbourg's Martial Grodo showed his joy in a provocative way with the flag from the corner of the pitch, and Nadiem Amiri and Phillip Tietz immediately rushed to stop him from celebrating the way he did.
German tabloid Bild: “The situation has escalated”
“Hitting and shouting followed, and then a wild brawl broke out. The situation escalated. In the end, the law enforcement officers had to intervene and separate the thugs. And Mainz midfielder Amiri received a red card,” reported the German tabloid Bild.
Mainz's player Tietz pinned Godo to the fence / Photo: Bild
Mainz attacking midfielder Paul Nebel explained: “It's completely unacceptable for me. You could see it in our reactions. It's just not fair, it has nothing to do with respect“.
Christian Heidel: “Nadiem Amiri probably hit him somehow and saw the red card”
He then continued: “They were the better team today, they deserved to win, but for a player to run up to our fans, hang his shirt on the corner flag and celebrate in front of us has nothing to do with respect in my view.
It's understandable that we as a team went there. Of course, football doesn't need such chaos, but for me it was simply unacceptable”. Mainz manager Christian Heidel commented in turn: “This is a kindergarten scene.
One of them had nothing better to do than to hold up his shirt in front of our supporters section. It's not a big deal for me, but it was a scuffle, Nadiem probably hit him somehow and got a red card for it.”
