Fan protests with tennis balls have previously only been seen in Germany. But now football fans in England have become imitators of the campaign.
The tennis ball protests by German football fans have made it to England. In the FA Cup game there on Tuesday between second division Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, the yellow felt balls flew onto the pitch at Ewood Park in the 14th minute.
The supporters of the home team wanted to express their dissatisfaction with the owner of their club and demanded a separation from the investor. After the Indian Venky’s Limited, which makes its money in the poultry business, took over the club 14 years ago, the Rovers went steadily downhill. In 2017, the 1995 champions were even relegated to the third division. They are currently fighting to stay in the league in 16th place in the second division.
In addition: The VH Group, to which Venky’s belongs, is currently in court in India. The accusation: embezzled assets and unpaid tax payments. Money payments to England have been restricted for the time being, forcing Rovers to save.
Game can be continued quickly
On Wednesday, around 20 tennis balls landed on the lawn out of frustration with the club’s politics and the controversial investor. Stewards and players from both teams helped to quickly remove the balls so that the game could resume after a few moments. First division club Newcastle, which has been owned by the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund for around two and a half years, prevailed on penalties.
The tennis ball protest was an unusual occurrence in England. After all, the professional clubs there have been in the firm hands of investors from all over the world for years. Since there is no 50+1 rule in the Premier League, the donors also largely determine the clubs’ fortunes. Not always for the good of the clubs, as can be seen not only from the example of Blackburn.