Hamburg soccer fans cause mayhem after relegation

May 12 (UPI) -- Soccer fans caused quite the scene after Hamburg was relegated from the Bundesliga Friday at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany.

Hamburg beat Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 in its final game of the season, but was relegated because of Wolfburg's 4-1 win against Cologne.

The Red Shorts have played in the Bundesliga since their inception in 1963.

First, their was a 10 minute delay at the stadium as fans sparked up flares and sent billowing black smoke over the pitch. After the final whistle, fans threw the flares onto the field and set off fireworks, causing more mayhem. The soccer supporters also set an advertisement sign on fire.

Police officers stormed the field, attempting to restore order as thousands of fans showed their anger. Some of the riot police rode on horseback while dozens of security staff formed a perimeter.

Players were eventually escorted from the field to ensure their safety. Hamburg players mourned the loss by crying on the pitch before they headed for the tunnel.

"Black smoke bombs coming from our fans' end has caused the game to be paused," Hamburg tweeted. "The club strongly condemns such irresponsible behavior."

Hamburg will now play in Bundesliga 2 after the 55 year stay in Germany's top league.

"This is an incredibly sad day for every HSV fan," Hamburg chairman Frank Wettstein told reporters.

"Our relegation is the harsh result of a poor sporting development, which we could not correct despite the positive development we have seen under new coach Christian Titz."