The debate is present again because locomotive trailers in Leipzig ignite pyrotechnics and throw them at wheelchair users. Not all clubs want to be liable for the behavior of their fans any longer.
Dark clouds of smoke over the fan block and firecrackers flying through the stadium – these are scenes that not only sports director Timmo Hardung from Eintracht Frankfurt condemned. “Something like that has no place here. We don’t need it, nobody needs it,” he said.
Because of the scandal in the first round match of the DFB Cup at 1. FC Lok Leipzig, the pyro debate picks up speed again shortly before the start of the Bundesliga. Incidents keep happening there, too.
High costs for the clubs
Supporters of the Saxons had ignited pyrotechnics in their block and a little later threw them at the wheelchair users sitting in front of them. “What some idiots” would have deducted from their team’s 0: 7 “is criminal,” wrote the Leipzig club in a statement.
Hardung also thinks about the health of many viewers. On the other hand, the 33-year-old knows only too well that such incidents cost clubs dearly. Eintracht had to transfer 861,200 euros to the DFB as a penalty in the 2022/23 season – more than any other club in this country.
Those responsible at Hannover 96 also had to dig deep into their pockets. Lower Saxony alone was hit with more than 600,000 euros by the sanctions totaling more than eight million euros that were imposed on all clubs in the three professional leagues.
Hannover 96 wants to pass costs on to viewers
The club no longer wants to accept that it should be responsible for the misconduct of its supporters. “The clubs are liable for the misconduct of third parties. We think that’s fundamentally wrong,” said Hannover 96.
“If you look at the development of the offenses, it is not clear that this type of sanctioning achieves the desired effect. The previous punishment system does not contribute to any reduction in illegal activities – it is the wrong means.”
The club also stated that the costs not included in the calculation would be passed on to all spectators. In the future, “association penalties will also be included in the pricing,” said the Hanoverians.
VfB wants to pay penalties
According to those responsible at VfB Stuttgart, this is the wrong way. “VfB will under no circumstances pass penalties on to ticket prices,” said a spokesman for the Swabians. “Our stance is: The topic of pyrotechnics must be solved together between fans, clubs, associations and authorities in search of a consensus.” But the opinion also applies to VfB: “Increasing penalties are not a solution.”
For example, according to the control committee, “burning off pyrotechnic objects (per object)” costs 1,000 euros in the Bundesliga, 600 euros in the second division and 350 euros in the third division. “Invasion of the field (per person)” costs between 1000 euros in the 3rd division and 3000 euros in the upper house.
The penalties for “unsportsmanlike messages (per banner, transparent or similar)” are 2,000 euros in the Bundesliga. However, only if the banner is smaller than three square meters. Otherwise 8000 euros will be due.
Punishment of the club legally correct
The core problem from a legal point of view is the question of liability. The home club and its affiliates are primarily sanctioned as they are responsible for the players, officials, members and spectators whenever an event takes place on the club’s premises.
Thus, the punishment of the club is legally correct in the first step. “However, the club has the option of claiming the perpetrators if they can be identified,” said sports lawyer Hanns-Uwe Richter. However, this is not always possible – despite numerous cameras in the arenas.
Cologne fan already had to pay
As early as 2014, there was a case where a fan of 1. FC Köln set off a firecracker, the explosion of which injured seven people. For this offense, the Cologne received a fine of 40,000 euros. The association paid and later prosecuted the polluter, who had to shell out 20,340 euros. Richter called the decision of the Federal Court of Justice a “milestone”.
For the DFB, who did not want to comment on further developments in the burning of pyrotechnics when asked, the penalties represent a not inconsiderable source of income. However, the association does not keep all the money. In 2022, for example, the DFB donated 1.95 million euros to charitable foundations.
Nevertheless, according to lawyer Richter, the collective penalties will continue to exist and most clubs will accept the sanctions. Incidents like those on Sunday at the cup game in Leipzig are “not worthy of competition,” said Hardung.
