2018 Video of Rioting at Germany Stadium Passed Off as Fire at FIFA World Cup
This video is from Germany and is not related to the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
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An old video of people throwing smoke bombs inside a stadium is going viral on social media with a claim that a massive fire broke out in Qatar during the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022.
If not Qatar, where is the video from?: The video is actually from Germany's Hamburg and dates back to 2018.
Why did the fans protest in Germany?: The fans threw smoke-producing lighting flares on the ground as a sign of protest, following the relegation of the former European champions Hamburg SV from a German football tournament, Bundesliga.
How did we find out the truth?: On conducting a simple reverse image search, we came across a YouTube video from 13 May 2018.
The video shared by '4S-TV' was titled, "Hamburger SV – Borussia Mönchengladbach | Pyro-Riot & Game Interruption | 12.05.2018."
The description of the video states that fans from Hamburg started rioting inside the stadium after the match.
The frames from 0:52 seconds match the viral video. However, the viral video is flipped.
Several similarities could be spotted on comparing the two videos.
(Note: Swipe to check comparisons)
Comparison between the viral video and the YouTube video.
Comparison between the viral video and the YouTube video.
Comparison between the viral video and the YouTube video.
Comparison between the viral video and the YouTube video.
Are there any news reports?: A keyword search on Google led us to news reports about this incident from Germany.
A report from The Guardian, a British daily newspaper, published on 12 May 2018 carried a picture similar to a frame in the viral video.
The caption read, "Police officers and security staff stand on the pitch after supporters light fireworks as Hamburg’s proud Bundesliga record comes to an end."
The report about fans' reaction.
(Source: The Guardian/Screenshot)
Another report from 12 May 2018 by The Telegraph, a British daily newspaper, mentioned that Hamburg, a German football team, was relegated from Bundesliga, which sparked angry demonstrations.
It also stated that this happened during a Bundesliga match between Hamburger SV and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany.
But was there any fire reported in Qatar?: According to a reports, a massive fire reported in Qatar's Lusail city on 26 November. However, the fire reportedly broke out in an under-construction building and not inside a stadium, as claimed.
Conclusion: Clearly, an old video from Germany is being shared as a video of a fire in Qatar.
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