Eintracht Frankfurt chairman Heribert Bruchhagen has criticised his club's own fans for their behaviour during the defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

The game was halted for almost 10 minutes when fireworks and flares were lit by a group of people stood among the visiting supporters at the BayArena.

It was the latest incident which comes as the German Football League (DFL) and German Football Association (DFB) try to crack down on the use of pyrotechnic material inside German stadia.

"It's just this same old group of trouble-seekers - they are not fans," Bruchhagen told ARD television.

"They don't love football, they are just here to cause disruption and to provoke.

"It is highly depressing. We thought that the numerous measures and talks held over recent weeks had done something.

"This has thrown us back significantly."

Frankfurt's fans topped a recent report listing the greatest number of identified trouble-makers, although Bruchhagen came to their defence, claiming that the report was distorted by the fact that his club attracts the biggest following of supporters for away matches.

However, his patience now appears to have been tested too much.

"We need to find measures to keep these problem visitors away from the stadium," he said.

Full body checks and airport-style metal detectors have been proposed, although the DFL rejected calls for all-seater stadia.

Fans protested throughout Germany when firmer checks were agreed on before Christmas, although they clearly did not work in Leverkusen as trouble-makers were still able to enter the stadium with forbidden items.