FC Cologne was fined a record on Wednesday for using pyrotechnic devices and throwing objects onto the pitch by its supporters during a championship match in October.
FC Cologne was fined 595,000 euros on Wednesday, a record sum for the Bundesliga, for using pyrotechnic devices and throwing objects onto the pitch by its supporters during a championship match in October .
This is the highest sanction ever imposed for fan misconduct in German football. Around a third of the fine can be invested by the club in security or other protective measures, the German Football Association (DFB) said.
These incidents had delayed by several minutes the derby finally won at home (3-1) by Cologne against Borussia Moenchengladbach on October 22.
Cologne promised to fight to obtain a “significant reduction» of the sanction, the general director Christian Keller having declared that the fine imposed a “enormous financial loss” at the club.
He added that “pyrotechnic devices are part of football fan culture» I admit it more than «the red lines not to be crossed… were clearly exceeded against Gladbach».
Although banned, these pyrotechnic devices are commonplace in German football and are frequently brandished by supporters, whether at home or away.
On Monday, Bayern Munich, the reigning German champion, was fined 40,000 euros and given a suspended ban on using it during away Champions League matches. The ban lasts for two years, which means that any new reprehensible behavior on the part of Bavarian supporters will result in a new sanction, a priori more severe.
