"Not right": Amiri apologizes for cheering in front of VfB stands

Provocatively cheering in front of the VfB crowd: Mainz pro Nadiem Amiri. IMAGO/DeFodi Images

Tiago Tomas had once again triggered a small brawl, although the game had already been ended by referee Felix Zwayer at that point.

But the pent-up joy had to come out, and finally, Nadiem Amiri was standing in front of the VfB pro – an opportunity he clearly couldn't miss. After initially lightly bumping the Mainz player, Tiago Tomas unleashed an emotional celebratory shout from close range – directly into the Mainz player's face. Several players from both teams then intervened, resulting in the aforementioned tangle, and Zwayer showed both opponents yellow cards.

Shortly afterwards, Amiri made it clear once again what had been behind Tiago Tomas's action: With short gestures, he pointed in the direction of the Cannstatter Kurve, where the die-hard VfB fans stand - and in front of which Amiri had celebrated the goal that gave Mainz the 1-0 lead in the first half extensively, even in a strikingly provocative manner.

At that point, he couldn't have known that his Mainz team would lose the game —nor that some members of the VfB squad, especially Tiago Tomas, would not forget the celebration. He could, however, have noticed that the stadium had remained silent and quiet for several minutes beforehand, as a medical emergency had occurred in the Mainz section.

The visitors then stopped their loud support, and the Stuttgart fans also joined in and remained quiet while the treatment continued in the stands.

Amiri later used this very circumstance as an opportunity to apologize for his celebration. "Dear VfB fans, after my goal, I cheered in front of your fans. That wasn't appropriate in this situation. I would like to apologize to you for this behavior," he wrote on his Instagram channel, addressing the Swabians. "You showed class and reacted with great sensitivity during the medical emergency in our section. I have the utmost respect for that. I wasn't aware of the extent of the situation at that moment, and my cheering in your direction was inappropriate."

He wished the affected fan, who had to be resuscitated, a speedy recovery. Mainz were able to provide some initial good news in this regard during the game: "The all-clear has been given. The fan is stable after resuscitation and is now on his way to the hospital. Get well soon."