Bundesliga - Strong protests against the DFL's investor plans
Tennis balls, chocolate coins, chants of abuse: fans in the stadiums of the Bundesliga expressed their great displeasure at the German Football League's investor deal with various actions. A banner reading "We won't be part of your deal - fuck the DFL!" could be read in all arenas.
At the match in Bochum, Union Berlin fans caused the game to be interrupted after twelve minutes when they threw a large number of tennis balls and chocolate coins onto the pitch. Referee Sven Jablonski then interrupted the game for around four minutes until the pitch had been cleared. Bochum's attacking player Takuma Asano took it with humor and ate a chocolate taler.
There was also an interruption in Darmstadt after pyrotechnics were set off in the Wolfsburg block. Here, too, chocolate coins were thrown. The Darmstadt fans took it amiss that their board had voted in favor of the deal. "Our vote should have prevented the DFL investor," read one poster.
Path clear for concrete negotiations
At the general meeting, the German Football League (DFL) 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. Many club supporters are opposed to this agreement.
Many stadiums therefore remained quiet for the first twelve minutes. The time span of twelve minutes was chosen as an allusion to the "twelfth man", i.e. the fans.
Sky expert Dietmar Hamann expressed his understanding for the DFL's decision. "We have maintained 50+1 for many years. You have to look at what's happening in England, Italy and France. There are private investors there. At some point, we have to open up in some way. I think the alternative would have been for the first league to separate from the second league if it hadn't gone through," said Hamann. Above all, he hopes for more professionalization, especially with regard to foreign marketing.
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- Despite the strong protests against their investor plans in Germany's Bundesliga, the DFL received a mandate from professional clubs to enter into concrete negotiations with a strategic marketing partner.
- The investor is expected to pay up to one billion euros for a percentage share of the TV revenues, with the contract having a maximum term of 20 years.
- Many club supporters are opposed to this agreement, leading to tense situations during Bundesliga matches, such as the one in Bochum where fans disrupted the game with tennis balls and chocolate coins.
- Takuma Asano, Bochum's attacking player, took the interruption in stride, even eating a chocolate taler thrown onto the field.
- The Bundesliga is not the only league facing investor-related controversies; many English, Italian, and French leagues also have private investors.
- Former NFL player and Sky expert Dietmar Hamann understands the DFL's decision, stating that eventually, they would have to open up to private investment to avoid separating from lower leagues.
- Even in tennis, there are instances of unconventional objects being used; in 2019, during the Lawn Tennis Association Championships, a spectator hit a line judge with a sliced cucumber, prompting a call for stricter fan behavior policies.
Source: www.stern.de
