The “National Team Fan Club” of the German Football Association (DFB) is losing its monopoly position.
Privately organized fan clubs for the men’s and women’s selections will soon be able to register with the association. This is what the “kicker” reports. With this, the DFB is taking a step towards its often alienated supporters. The official “National Team Fan Club,” which currently has 50,000 members, has been controversial in the scene since it was founded 20 years ago. For many fans, it symbolizes the commercialization of football – also because it is financially supported by a beverage brand.
By allowing independent fan associations, the DFB hopes to create a more active fan scene. From next year onwards, these spectators will also have the opportunity to buy personalized tickets for away games for the DFB teams. This was previously reserved for the “National Team Fan Club”. Its members receive a whole range of discounts, such as cheaper home game tickets, for an annual fee of 30 euros.
The private fan associations must consist of at least eleven supporters. They must also commit to a code of values that includes, among other things, the rejection of violence and discrimination.