Hertha Berlin have banned 23 fans for three years following ugly scenes at the Olympia Stadion at the end of their 2-1 defeat to Nurnberg.

Around 100 spectators entered the field of play after the final whistle and chased the players off the pitch, threatening them with flagpoles which they then used to vandalise the bench area.

Twenty-three of the culprits were positively identified and have been informed personally by the club that they will be no longer allowed access to any football match in Germany until July 2013.

"There is absolutely no excuse for this behaviour," said Berlin's general manager Michael Preetz.

"For this reason, we have not shown any leniency with the punishment. All those who have been given stadium bans have been clearly identified.

"After discussion with them, we were convinced that this action was not premeditated and that it was just a spontaneous reaction to the 2-1 defeat.

"But after carefully weighing up all of the arguments, it is nevertheless clear that there can be no difference regarding the duration of the stadium bans."

The culprits also face police action for breach of the peace and for damage caused by their pitch invasion.