There are moments when it is natural to question the current state of humanity. Terrorist attacks, chemical weapons, shootings, missiles, hate speech, racism, discrimination. You are left to wonder: How could this be? Who would do something like that?
Another one of these moments presented itself Tuesday when the Borussia Dortmund team bus was attacked before its Champions League quarterfinal match with AS Monaco in Germany.
Dortmund defender Marc Bartra suffered a broken wrist. Fortunately, no one else was seriously injured. The attack could have been much more tragic. Nevertheless, it sent chills through the football world.
However, in this moment of crisis and uncertainty, we were reminded there is still plenty of good in our world.
The match was rescheduled for Wednesday, meaning Monaco’s traveling fans unexpectedly needed to stay in Dortmund for the night or return to the south of France. Without a suspect in custody and unsure if there were more attacks to come, Borussia Dortmund and its fans took to Twitter using the hashtag “#bedforawayfans” to help Monaco fans in need of a place to stay.
Borussia Dortmund fans Hosting the travelling AS Monaco fans last night. Class.
The Beautiful Game. #bedforawayfans pic.twitter.com/qmIDt1yjMR— Ultra Football Facts (@UltraFootyFacts) April 12, 2017
Pictures of Dortmund and Monaco fans sharing meals, drinks, and shelter flooded Twitter timelines showing the world that the negative does not have have to define us in 2017. When evil struck, compassion and unity answered.
Monaco fans used Wednesday to show their thanks to their new German friends. These two clubs will forever be linked by this event, and a hashtag will be an important part of the story.
Vielen Dank ! #Dortmund #bedforawayfans #bvbasm #monaco pic.twitter.com/7IhJIWjSkM
— Adrien Thomas (@Adrien_Thomas) April 12, 2017