Hamburg coach Polzin understands Vuskovic anger over fans after derby

SV Hamburg coach Merlin Polzin has defended his young defender Luka Vuskovic who was upset about St Pauli fans after their 0-0 Bundesliga derby draw on Friday night.

Vuskovic, 18, told Sky TV he was insulted by Pauli fans in connection with his brother, Mario Vuskovic, who is banned until November over a positive doping test.

‘I don't know what the St Pauli fans here are thinking, but it's very disrespectful to insult my brother. I have nothing good to say about the fans," he said.

He then angrily headed to the dressing room, putting a finger over his mouth to silence Pauli fans, then reportedly spat out in the tunnel and was confronted by Pauli defender Karol Mets and assistant coach Peter Nemeth.

Polzin said he could understand Vuskovic's anger: "When you are confronted with these slogans, words, demands, gestures and, in some cases, actions, it has nothing to do with what both clubs stand for, nor with what Hamburg as a cosmopolitan city should stand for.

"We have an 18-year-old who is carrying a heavy burden because of what happened to Mario Vuskovic. I believe that not only HSV, but also FC St. Pauli, take the view that these issues are normally treated with great sensitivity and that there is mutual understanding in this regard."

He said the issue was too important ’and that it was important to ensure that "something like this does not happen again."

Mario Vuskovic tested positive for the banned blood booster EPO in 2022 while playing for SV Hamburg. He protested his innocence but was banned for four years. He is to receive a new Hamburg contract when the suspension expires.

Luka Vuskovic arrived at the club on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur and has been a key player for them despite hsi young age. He also had Hamburg's best chance on Friday when his header was saved by Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.