Schalke players may quit rest of season after fan attacks

Schalke 04 were officially relegated from the German Bundesliga for the first time since 1988 following Tuesday's loss at Arminia Bielefeld and then had injury added to insult when they suffered attacks by angry fans early Wednesday morning after returning from the defeat. Supporters threw eggs at players, chased footballers, and damaged at least one vehicle owned by a player. 

ESPN's Stephan Uersfeld reports Schalke haven't trained in two days and wrote that some or all players could quit the remainder of the campaign rather than play out the final four matchdays. 

"The events were frightening for someone not expecting these levels of engagement," one player who wished to remain anonymous told ESPN. "We knew there would be response, but none of us expected this. I can empathize with the fans and supporters and I can understand their frustration." 

That player did add: "The fans mean everything and the only way the situation can be made right is to finish the season strong and fight on." 

Schalke sporting executive Peter Knabel reportedly said he will let individual players decide if they compete through the final day of the season scheduled for May 23. "I can live with every decision as long as that decision is within legal limits," he said. "We have to see how the lads are doing." 

It's unclear if the German Football League would punish Schalke for not finishing their season on the pitch. Earlier in the day, that body announced that Bundesliga personnel will be required to follow quarantine measures starting May 2 and then enter into "quarantine training camps" from May 12 through May 23.