The DFB control committee has imposed a high fine on 1. FC Köln for pyrotechnics offenses – Cologne wants to take action against it.
In a criminal complaint, the control committee of the German Football Association (DFB) imposed a fine totaling 595,000 euros for setting off pyrotechnics during the home derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-1) on October 22, 2023, as the Cologne-based company announced .
Of this sum, the FC could invest 198,000 euros in its own security or violence prevention measures. Before the start of the game, immediately before kick-off and during the game, numerous pyrotechnic objects were ignited in the south stand area. The massive smoke development delayed the kick-off by more than six minutes. But Cologne does not agree with the punishment.
1. FC Cologne considers the DFB’s actions to be wrong
The FC wants to “apply to the DFB control committee to significantly reduce the penalty”. The association considers “the DFB’s approach of assessing the events without reflection and partially applying a standardized sentencing guideline to be wrong,” the Cologne-based team explained.
What is meant is a kind of catalog of penalties that the DFB has been using since 2018. It stipulates that Bundesliga clubs must pay 1,000 euros per item for the “burning down of pyrotechnic objects”. For items that are shot down, 3,000 euros are due. The DFB has not yet commented, details on the composition of the punishment are missing.
“In our view, this approach is absolutely missing the mark,” FC managing director Christian Keller was quoted as saying in a club statement: “The awarding of association penalties in this form is far removed from the reality of German football and fan culture. That is why we will continue to be active and emphatic for a sensible adaptation of the sentencing guidelines and for an appropriate way of dealing with this culture.”
FCManaging Director Keller: “General ban on pyrotechnics does not have a sufficient effect”
Cologne fans lit numerous pyrotechnic objects in the south stand area on October 22nd before and during the derby against arch-rivals from Mönchengladbach. The massive smoke development delayed the kick-off by more than six minutes.
“Basically, this case again shows that a general ban on pyrotechnics in football does not have a sufficient effect. For the active fan scene, the use of pyrotechnics is part of football and fan culture.” However, according to Keller, “no red lines should be crossed.”
Specifically, the safety of spectators must always be guaranteed and there must be no impact on the sporting events. “These limits were clearly exceeded against Gladbach. This also results in enormous financial damage. The high fine hits the FC very hard on the path to economic recovery as quickly as possible,” said the FC managing director.
