The fans on the legendary Dortmund south stand are known for their impressive choreographies. However, the latest work by BVB supporters causes trouble. The name sponsor of the stadium chooses drastic words.
Nfter a choreography by Borussia Dortmund fans under the motto “Forever Westfalenstadion”, one of the club’s sponsors expressed clear criticism. “For me, that’s unacceptable, considering how much we’ve supported this club for a long time and also stood by it when others didn’t want to give a cent more,” said CEO Ulrich Leitermann from the insurance group Signal Iduna to the “Ruhr Nachrichten”.
Before the game against 1. FC Union Berlin almost two weeks ago, the fans of the Bundesliga club presented a big choreography entitled “Forever Westfalenstadion” in the south stand. Six days earlier, the stadium had celebrated its 49th birthday.
The choreo caused Leitermann “great pain”. “It was just a nuisance for us,” said the CEO. He hopes for more acceptance from the entire fan scene. “I would like to see an appreciative approach that takes both interests into account,” said Leitermann, referring to the business relationship between the group, which pays the rumored six million euros annually for the naming rights, and the association.
The choreo that the sponsor didn’t like: the Dortmund fans celebrated the old name of the stadium
Source: dpa/Bernd Thissen
Dortmund Stadium was renamed Signal Iduna Park in 2005, previously it was called Westfalenstadion. An estimated total of almost 100 million euros will be paid for the rights until 2031. “Accept the circumstances we have! Signal Iduna Park will be called Signal Iduna Park until at least 2031,” said Leitermann.
BVB fans reacted to the statements on social networks with incomprehension and malice. Leiterman said he knew only a portion of the fans were behind the action. He was particularly annoyed by the media impact. It was a “violent setback”, “because this representation also creates images in people’s minds”.
