The recent appearance of the active fan scene of the Bundesliga football club Eintracht Frankfurt is causing sharp criticism within their own ranks. “These things don’t just make me angry. The events in Cologne and Barcelona are causing us massive damage,” said President Mathias Beck to the “Bild” newspaper.
According to the European Football Union (UEFA), Eintracht supporters recently ignited pyrotechnics, damaged the toilets in the guest area and threw objects during the away game in the Champions League at FC Barcelona. UEFA therefore decided that the SGE will not be allowed to sell guest tickets at Qarabag Agdam in Azerbaijan on January 21st. According to rulings by the DFB sports court this year, the club also had to pay almost seven-figure fines for fan misconduct.
“It also makes me very angry, and of course something has to be done if success is jeopardized by it,” said Beck, who has been in office as Peter Fischer’s successor since 2024 and wants to run again: “We, but above all the fan scene itself, have to get the issue under control, but we have to stick to it consistently.” Board member Philipp Reschke is currently working on “solutions”.
Beck still wants to stay in touch with the fan scene. Some “danced out of the ranks to the detriment of everyone else. And that’s exactly why we can’t punish entire groups or condemn our fan scene across the board,” said Beck: “We shouldn’t stray too far from each other, because then, I think, we’ll have real problems.”
Beck meanwhile wants to stand for re-election at the general meeting in 2027. “I consulted with my family and asked the executive committee and the board of directors about it. Without exception, everyone advised me to decide early and announce it. And that’s what I’m doing,” said Beck.
“Ultimately, Eintracht Frankfurt is very important to me. It’s a huge task, but one that also brings enormous joy. I now know the structures and know where we have to start,” said the 54-year-old, explaining his decision. “I have started so many things, I would like to continue.”
Beck also looks calmly at rumors that the Eintracht ultras could field their own candidate. “I am firmly convinced that the members believe in me. I am in contact with all groups in the club, whether with the sports departments or with the fans,” said the president and added: “Nowhere do I see any tendencies that indicate that I would not be wanted.”
Beck was elected to office in January 2024 with what was then an overwhelming majority. This year he missed a few weeks after undergoing heart surgery after contracting pneumonia. Beck explained afterwards that it was a life-threatening situation.
