The DFB imposed the first fines in the wake of fan protests that led to several game interruptions at the beginning of the year.
On Thursday (March 21, 2024), the sports court initially sanctioned Bayern Munich, SC Freiburg, Werder Bremen and Holstein Kiel. Numerous club bosses had previously called for impunity for the ultimately successful fan protests against the entry of an investor into the German Football League (DFL).
Bayern have to pay 40,000 euros because fans threw various objects onto the grass in the home games against Werder Bremen (“especially gold coins”) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (“especially sweets”) as well as in the match against VfL Bochum (“especially tennis balls”) and thus provoked a break in the game.
Penalties depending on the length of the interruption
The record champion can use up to 13,200 euros of the fine for security or violence prevention measures. Freiburg has to pay three fines totaling 30,000 euros for similar incidents, Werder Bremen 10,000 euros, and second division club Holstein Kiel 5,000 euros.
According to a DFB announcement, the control committee had “agreed on a uniform line for dealing with game delays, which is also supported by the DFB executive committee.” Depending on the length of the interruption, the Bundesliga clubs pay between 10,000 and 50,000 euros. The sanctions for the second division clubs are between 5,000 and 30,000 euros, for the third division clubs 2,500 to 15,000 euros are due.
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DFB – “Moderate fines”
If the throwing of objects did not result in the game being interrupted, a flat rate of 5,000 euros (Bundesliga), 2,500 euros (2nd league) and 1,250 euros (3rd league) will be requested from the DFB sports court. The control committee speaks of “moderate fines”.
In addition, a “penalty discount” of around a third of the requested amount of money is included, which can be used by the clubs for fan dialogues. “It was clear from the start that we would not count bouncy balls and tennis balls, but would work with lump sums,” said Control Committee Chairman Anton Nachreiner: “There is nothing wrong with a peaceful protest. But objects that fly into the interior can be there endanger people present, and interruptions prevent the smooth running of the game. Therefore, sanctions will be applied for as usual.”