Patrik Stollarz / AFP - Getty Images

Leverkusen supporters show protest cards during the Bundesliga soccer match Bayer Leverkusen vs Hamburger SV in the German city of Leverkusen on December 15, 2012.

Fans of Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg held black cards and lit flares Saturday as they protested new security measures to be introduced in German soccer stadiums.

German clubs have agreed a toughened set of rules for supporters due to concerns over a rise in violence connected to the sport, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The Guardian's David Conn reported earlier this month that supporters groups "have interpreted the suggestions ... as a means by stealth to sedate German football's raucous, standing fan culture."

Wolfgang Rattay / Reuters

A fan of Hamburger SV holds a flare during his team's Bundesliga soccer match against Bayer Leverkusen to protest against the so-called "security package" of the German Football League, in Leverkusen on December 15, 2012.

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Angelika Warmuth / AFP - Getty Images

A person wearing an Easter bunny costume makes a wakeboard jump during a promotional event in Hamburg, Germany, April 8.

 Related content: Christians mark Easter Sunday at ancient holy site; Pope calls for peace in Syria

Slideshow: Easter celebrations

Abir Sultan / EPA

Around the world, Christians celebrate the holiest week of the year.

Launch slideshow

Update, August 2, 5:35 p.m. ET:

Reading the comments below, I'm likewise confused as to why the captions describe the sculpture as a mermaid. My interpretation is that this mermaid got her wish to become fully human, as cinematic mermaids often do e.g. Splash and The Little Mermaid. You can read more about the 'Giant Mermaid' here and check out the video below by TODAY.com's Dara Brown.

Marcus Brandt / EPA

Workers fix the 'Giant Mermaid' at the inner Alster in Hamburg on Tuesday. The sculpture made by the artist and owner of an advertising agency Oliver Voss will stay in the inner Alster for the next ten days.

Axel Heimken / AP

A boat passes a sculpture of a giant mermaid designed by German artist Oliver Voss on the river Alster in Hamburg, northern Germany, on Tuesday. The sculpture made of styrofoam and steel will be on exhibit for ten days.

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