Bundesliga: Fan protests cause many interruptions

22nd Bundesliga matchday Numerous interruptions, games about to be canceled: fan protests continue

As here in the game between TSG Hoffenheim and 1. FC Union Berlin, tennis balls flew onto the pitch in other stadiums

© DPA

More tennis balls than footballs: The 22nd Bundesliga matchday was once again accompanied by massive protests from fans against investor involvement.

There were also interruptions to the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga games on Saturday due to fan protests. Fans of 1. FC Union Berlin threw tennis balls onto the pitch several times during the away game at TSG Hoffenheim. Referee Robert Hartmann sent both teams to the dressing room in the 42nd minute after several unsuccessful attempts to continue the game. After about twelve minutes it continued.

Game interruptions in the Bundesliga

In a total of four of the five stadiums, the supporters again caused disruptions with their protest actions. In Mainz and Hoffenheim, the games were even about to be canceled after the respective referees sent the teams into the dressing room. After the break the games could continue. Previously, fans had, among other things, thrown tennis balls onto the lawn, chanted insults towards the German Football League and displayed numerous protest posters.

Referee Tobias Welz interrupted the game between SV Darmstadt 98 and VfB Stuttgart twice in the first half after both fan camps threw tennis balls onto the grass. The game could only be continued after around 18 minutes. VfL Wolfsburg’s duel with Borussia Dortmund was also temporarily interrupted. In addition, there were again insulting chants directed at the German Football League (DFL) and numerous protest posters in the stadiums.

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The DFL wants to collect one billion euros from a financial investor for a percentage share of the TV revenue. When the 36 professional clubs voted on the deal, the necessary two-thirds majority was only barely achieved. Since then, the voting behavior of Hanover’s majority shareholder Martin Kind, who was instructed by his club to vote against entry, has been under discussion. It is unclear whether his vote may have secured the necessary majority.

Many fans have been protesting in the stadiums for weeks, mainly by throwing objects against entry, and games are repeatedly interrupted.

On Saturday, the second division game between SC Paderborn and Holstein Kiel was interrupted for around half an hour. The teams were in the dressing room and there was a threat of the game being abandoned at times. In the final phase, however, the game was back on track. In Rostock, Hansa fans had remote-controlled cars with blue and white smoke flares driven onto the pitch during the second division game against Hamburger SV. After a short time, stewards came to the field and removed the cars from the field.

The results from Saturday afternoon:

1. FC Heidenheim vs. Bayer Leverkusen 1:2VfL Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund 1:11. FSV Mainz 05 vs. FC Augsburg 1:0TSG Hoffenheim vs. 1. FC union Berlin 0:1SV Darmstadt 98 vs. VfB Stuttgart 1:2

In the top game in the evening, RB Leipzig hosts Borussia Mönchengladbach from 6:30 p.m.

In the second Bundesliga on Saturday, Hansa Rostock and Hamburger SV played 2-2, FC Schalke 04 played SV Wehen Wiesbaden 1-0 and SC Paderborn played Holstein Kiel 0-4. Karlsruher SC will play against Fortuna Düsseldorf at 8:30 p.m.

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