Hamburg's Leistner apologises following clash with fan in stands after DFB-Pokal match

Hamburg defender Toni Leistner has apologised for climbing into the stands to confront a Dynamo Dresden fan after Monday's DFB-Pokal match.

Leistner played the full match as his side were beaten 4-1 at Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion in the first round of the cup competition.

The 30-year-old was preparing to give a pitchside interview but then clambered into the stands and grabbed a home supporter before pushing him to the ground.

Leistner, who was born in Dresden and spent four years playing for Dynamo, claims he reacted after hearing taunts made about his family.

Gerade in der Stunde des Erfolgs, sollte man Demut & Dankbarkeit zeigen. Wir alle lieben den Fußball, weil er große Emotionen freisetzen kann. Und ja, Menschen machen Fehler. Toni #Leistner ist ein Dresdner Junge, der sein Herz am rechten Fleck hat. Weiter geht’s, Toni! #sgd1953 pic.twitter.com/FuLre9TZYE

— SG Dynamo Dresden (@DynamoDresden) September 14, 2020

The former QPR man accepts his actions were unacceptable despite the high emotions of the match.

Writing on Instagram, he said: "I received some huge insults from the stands in my hometown after the game.

"Usually, I can handle that, but then it went below the belt against my family, my wife and my daughter. At that moment, my fuse blew especially as this was already an extremely emotional game for me.

"Something like this should not happen – I am a family man who wants to serve as a role model. I apologise for my behaviour and can only promise that, no matter what insults are thrown at me, something like this will never happen again."