During the Europa League match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Ajax Amsterdam on 16 February 2023, pyrotechnics were set off several times in the away section of the Johan Cruijff Arena. Only a few days after the fixture, Union were able to identify four perpetrators, who were then banned from the stadium An den Alten Försterei before the Bundesliga home game against Schalke 04.

The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has fined 1. FC Union Berlin € 30,000 for the incidents in Amsterdam.

In addition, 1. FC Union Berlin were banned from selling tickets to their own fans for an away match in a European competition, but this was suspended for two years, as of the day of the UEFA decision. UEFA's decision is dated 01.03.2023, so any assessment of rule violations at the second leg of the Ajax tie has not yet taken place.

Due to the repeated incidents in recent months, 1. FC Union Berlin have significantly expanded their preventive measures. In the run-up to the second leg, for example, considerable quantities of pyrotechnics were found and seized during the inspection of choreo materials in the home area. Nevertheless, pyrotechnics were again set off at this match.

"We will significantly increase the use of personnel and technology to clarify and punish rule violations and also sanction them more strongly and quickly. To this end, the means of directly issuing house bans, independent of criminal proceedings or stadium bans, will be used more than before. For the time being, we will also withdraw some of the facilitations for the active fan scene. But it is also clear that we will continue our dialogue and our good cooperation with all fan groups of our club as before," said Pierre Lüttge, managing director of organisation and administration at 1. FC Union Berlin, explaining the measures taken on the part of the club.

He added, "Thanks to the probationary period, we still have the chance to avoid another exclusion of spectators. We appeal to all Union fans to contribute through their own behaviour so that we can continue to experience possible further European Cup evenings together."