Borussia Moenchengladbach fans threaten boycott

Berlin​: Borussia Moenchengladbach fans are threatening to boycott the derby aganinst Rhine rivals Cologne on September 19 because of ticket purchase requirements imposed after the incidents during the previous edition in February.

Moenchengladbach fan groups are furious that they must now register their name, address and date of birth when they purchase a ticket.

"In our view it`s not right that we have to register weeks before a match and that all fans should be punished despite refusing to be drawn by the provocation (during the previous match against Cologne)," a statement from one of the concerned fan clubs read.

February`s game was overshadowed by numerous incidents with some thirty of Cologne`s extreme ultras fans invading the pitch at the end of the game to try and provoke rivals in their stands.

Moenchengladbach sporting director Stephan Schnippers dismissed the idea of a boycott as "not a good choice".

In September 2014, the same derby, considered one of the most hotly contested in Germany resulted in 77 injuries leading to 93 arrests.

Moenchengladbach have endured a tough start to the season, they are pointless after two matches having scored just one goal and conceded six.