Protest actions - Fans against DFL investor: Match in Paderborn interrupted
The first soccer fans have protested against the DFL's decision in favor of an investor deal. In the second division match between SC Paderborn and Hansa Rostock, fans from both camps expressed their displeasure and implemented the previously announced boycott in the first twelve minutes.
Match in Paderborn interrupted twice
From the 13th minute onwards, the Rostock fans set off pyrotechnics. The referee therefore interrupted the match and ordered the professionals into the dressing room. The match was only resumed nine minutes later.
In the 56th minute, rockets flew onto the pitch again. Referee Wolfgang Haslberger interrupted the match for the second time. "Twelve minutes of silence"
Many soccer fans want to express their displeasure with the DFL's decision this weekend by boycotting the match. "We are not prepared to stand idly by and watch the sell-out of German soccer. In order to make it clear that the much-vaunted 12th man nationwide is not prepared to be part of the negotiating mass of the DFL deal with dubious investors, we will remain silent for twelve minutes," reads a statement published on Friday by several fan groups from Germany's fan scenes.
At the general meeting on Monday, the German Football League received a mandate from the professional clubs to enter into concrete negotiations with a strategic marketing partner. A financial investor is to pay up to one billion euros for a percentage share of the TV revenues. The contract is to have a maximum term of 20 years.
If the stadium remains quiet for the first twelve minutes, "it will quickly become noticeable and audible for us," said coach Sebastian Hoeneß, who will take on VfB Stuttgart on Sunday in the chasing clash with FC Bayern. "Both have their justification. The trick is to bring both together," he said. On the one hand, it's about not losing touch with international soccer, but "definitely not losing contact" with the fans, who are "all-important". "It's a fine line." You have to listen very carefully to what the fans' concerns are.
"Respecting the historical tradition"
"We respect the tradition historically, but we want to develop German soccer," emphasized fellow player Xabi Alonso from league leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen. "We have fans in Leverkusen, but also in Spain, Argentina and Japan. We have to have a perspective to keep the tradition, but also to develop a vision, because we are fighting in a soccer jungle, with La Liga, Premier League, Liga A and Serie A." The Werkself will host Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.
The lively fan culture in Germany is a unique selling point, the fans write. "But that is precisely why our participation in the Bundesliga product is also our greatest weapon! We have our share of the value of professional soccer in our own hands," the statement reads. "We see the entry of investors as a fundamental attack on the grassroots-oriented popular sport of soccer in this country. The officials may be able to sell off media rights, but we can still influence our own stake in the Bundesliga product."
The fan scenes announced: "We will collectively pool our resources in the fight against the greed and arbitrariness of the DFL. The managing directors of the league could still stop this disastrous investment project. We will keep a close eye on this path!"
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- The second division match between SC Paderborn and Hansa Rostock saw a protest from the fans, voicing their discontent towards the DFL's investor deal.
- The Soccer fans from both teams showed their displeasure through a twelve-minute boycott in the initial phase of the second division match.
- The match in Paderborn was interrupted twice due to pyrotechnics set off by Rostock fans, leading to referee interventions.
- Fans across Germany plan to express their disagreement with the DFL's investor decision by boycotting soccer matches this weekend.
- On Sunday, Soccer fans in Paderborn will be observing twelve minutes of silence to voice their disapproval of the DFL's partnership with dubious investors.
- The DFL received approval from professional clubs to engage in negotiations with a strategic marketing partner, in a deal potentially worth up to one billion euros.
- The investor, aiming to secure a share of the TV revenues, will contribute for a maximum term of 20 years, as per the contract.
- SC Paderborn's upcoming investor deal has sparked protests from fans, as they view it as an attack on grassroots soccer in Germany and a threat to their influence on the Bundesliga product.
Source: www.stern.de
