German club sells tickets for ‘ghost game’

ROSTOCK, Germany (AP)—German club Hansa Rostock is selling tickets to its second division game against Dynamo Dresden on Sunday—even though the fans won’t be allowed in.

Rostock said Wednesday it had sold over 2,400 “ghost tickets” for a game that will be played behind closed doors because of a stadium ban following rioting at Hansa’s 3-1 home defeat to St. Pauli on Nov. 19.

Fans have been urged to buy the tickets, which range from ?5 ($6.5) to ?19.65 ($26), to show solidarity for the club. Limited edition T-shirts commemorating the “ghost game” are also on sale.

Rostock chairman Bernd Hofmann said Hansa appreciated “the willingness of our loyal fans who want to assist their club at this difficult time.”

Rostock’s stadium holds 29,000 fans.