Many football fans want to express their dissatisfaction with the DFL’s decision for an investor deal with a boycott this weekend. The first protests took place in Paderborn and Schalke.
“We are not prepared to stand idly by and watch the sell-out of German football. In order to make it clear that the much-hyped 12th man nationwide is not prepared to be used as part of the bargaining chips for the DFL deal with dubious investors, we will remain silent for twelve minutes,” says a statement from Germany’s fan scenes published by several fan groups on Friday (December 15, 2023).
First protests in Paderborn and Schalke
The first protests broke out during the Friday games (December 15, 2023) of the 2nd Bundesliga. In the game between SC Paderborn and Hansa Rostock, fans from both camps expressed their displeasure and implemented the previously announced boycott of sentiment in the first twelve minutes. From the 13th minute onwards, the Rostock fans set off pyrotechnics. The referee therefore interrupted the game and ordered the professionals into the dressing room. The encounter only continued nine minutes later.
At the FC Schalke game against SpVgg Greuther Fürth Greuther, the away supporters took part in the boycott – they showed posters, including “No to investors in the DFL!”.
Billion sum he wishes
At the general meeting on Monday, the German Football League received a mandate from the professional clubs to begin concrete negotiations with a strategic marketing partner. A financial investor should pay up to one billion euros for a percentage share of the TV revenue. The contract should have a maximum term of 20 years.
The lively fan culture in Germany is a unique selling point, the fans write. “But that’s precisely why our participation in the Bundesliga product is also our greatest weapon! We have our share of the value of professional football in our own hands,” says the statement. “We see the investor entry as a fundamental attack on the grassroots popular sport of football in this country. The officials may be able to sell off media rights, but we can still influence the shares we contribute to the Bundesliga product ourselves.”
They can still Managing Director stop the deal
The fan scenes announced: “We will pool our resources collectively in the fight against the DFL’s greed and arbitrariness. The league’s managing directors could still stop the disastrous investment project. We will keep a close eye on this path!”