
Goal king Ovechkin 'pretty sure' he'll play again
Ovechkin confident he won't retire after season finale against Columbus
Bayern Munich fans have issued an apology after several photographers were injured during post-match celebrations following their Champions League victory over Real Madrid. The incident occurred when fans stormed over barriers at the end of the match.
Bayern Munich fans have apologised for their Champions League celebrations on Wednesday (Alexandra BEIER)
(Alexandra BEIER/AFP/AFP)
Bayern Munich supporters have apologised after several photographers were injured when fans stormed over barriers at the end of Wednesday's home Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
With scores level in the tie, Bayern's Luis Diaz and Michael Olise both scored late in the match to send the German champions through to the final four of the competition.
A group of fans from the Bayern ultras section climbed over barriers while celebrating, trampling pitch-side photographers.
Writing on social media, Reuters photographer Kai Pfaffenbach posted a picture of himself lying on the ground accompanied by a medical report saying he was "unconscious" after being overrun by fans at the end of the match.
"For those asking, I'm fine. A few bruises but no fractures or brain damage," Pfaffenbach said alongside a series of photos.
"But one question: how could this have happened at a football match?"
Another photographer suffered a head laceration and another needed medical attention for back and shoulder injuries.
One of the injured photographers told AFP that fans had already climbed a barrier and were waiting "for several minutes" before advancing into the pitch-side photographer's area.
"If security staff had reacted and implemented the security measures, if they had intervened beforehand and protected us, or sent them back, then this could certainly have been avoided."
Bayern Munich has been in contact with the injured photographers, as well as with the supporters, who have apologised for the incident.
Bayern supporter organisation Club Nr. 12 told AFP the group "regret the injuries sustained by the media representatives" during the match.
"To our knowledge, an exchange has already taken place between FC Bayern Munich and at least some of the fans involved, in which they expressed their deep regret for the accidental injuries and apologised.
"We believe this is the right approach and therefore welcome this action and the swift communication.
"We wish all those affected a speedy recovery."
The injuries occurred when Bayern Munich fans stormed over barriers during post-match celebrations after their Champions League victory over Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich advanced to the semi-finals after a late match performance, with goals from Luis Diaz and Michael Olise securing their victory.
Bayern Munich fans apologized for the injuries sustained by photographers during the celebrations following their team's Champions League win.

Ovechkin confident he won't retire after season finale against Columbus
Zach McKinstry is sore and 'not moving around great' after leaving the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo vomited after playing sick in Al-Nassr's latest victory.
Marie-Louise Eta has been appointed as the interim head coach of Union Berlin, making history as the first female head coach in the club's history. She will lead the team in five matches, starting with a game against Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
Saudi PIF sells Al-Hilal to Prince Alwaleed's Kingdom Holding
Marcus Rashford is considering a return to Manchester United as Barcelona delays a decision on his future. This shift comes after Rashford's strong performance, despite losing prominence recently.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Earlier in the competition, Bayern's southern stand made headlines for repeated use of pyrotechnics and was partially closed by governing body UEFA.
UEFA told AFP subsidiary SID on Thursday the organisation was aware of the incident but did not indicate yet whether an investigation would be launched.
dwi/bsp