Dispute over fines for pyro - DFB Federal Court rejects appeals by Hannover 96
Football Second League team Hannover 96 must pay two fines imposed by the DFB-Sports Court for the misconduct of their fans following a legal loss. The Bundesgericht of the German Football Association rejected the club's appeals against these fines, with further appeals still to be decided.
"The arguments presented by Hannover contradict several points of applicable law," said Achim Späth, the chairman of the DFB-Bundesgericht, in a DFB statement. "They also fail to recognize the organizational structure of German football and their own role in it."
Hannover 96 was fined a total of 289,500 Euro on May 3 following an oral hearing for incidents at eight games. These incidents included the use of pyrotechnics in the fan block, protests against the planned investor entry in the German Football League, and the display of a banner with the face of Hannover's managing director Martin Kind in a crosshair.
Hannover boss Kind had already spoken out against the penalty system in such cases in April. "It is regulated in association law that we are liable for the misconduct of third parties," Kind said. "We consider this system to be wrong." "The fines are supposed to have a preventive character. That is not the case."
In the now ongoing appeals, the focus was on the Second League matches against VfL Osnabrück on February 24 and against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on March 16. Pyrotechnics were set off before both matches, and in Osnabrück, they were also set off during the game, causing the match to be briefly interrupted at the start.
For the incidents in Osnabrück, the DFB-Sports Court imposed a fine of 33,000 Euro. Hannover 96 must pay 150,000 Euro for the rockets, fireworks, and at least 100 Bengal lights before the match against Kaiserslautern.
Hanover 96, a team from the Bundesliga 2, was penalized by the DFB Sports Tribunal for fan misconduct during eight games. The German Football Association's Bundesgericht upheld these fines, despite Hannover 96's appeals. Achim Späth, the chairman of the DFB-Bundesgericht, criticized Hannover's arguments, stating they contradict applicable law and overlook the organizational structure of German football.
The initial fine of 289,500 Euro was imposed on May 3, due to incidents such as pyrotechnic use, protests against an investor entry, and a defamatory banner against Hannover's managing director, Martin Kind. Hannover boss Kind had earlier criticized the penalty system, calling it unfair and ineffective.
The ongoing appeals focus on matches against VfL Osnabrück and 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Pyrotechnics were used before both games and caused a brief interruption in Osnabrück due to their use during the game. Consequently, Hannover was fined 150,000 Euro for the use of rockets, fireworks, and at least 100 Bengal lights before the match against Kaiserslautern.
The DFB-Sports Court imposed a fine of 33,000 Euro for pyrotechnics used in the Osnabrück match. The German Football Association, located in Lower Saxony, and the soccer club Hanover 96, both from Germany, are now expected to pay these fines as a result of their fans' misconduct.
