The fan scenes in German football want to protest again in the new year against the entry of an investor into the DFL. They are also calling for a new vote because of the Hannover 96 case.
Under the title “It’s not over yet – No to investors in the DFL!” writes the “Fan Scenes of Germany” alliance in a message distributed on Friday (January 12, 2024): “We will not give up and are ready to fight against further sell-outs and negative external influences on our football. It is not over yet… “
Ultras from SC Freiburg announced that they would again be without support for twelve minutes at the start of the first Bundesliga game of the year against 1. FC Union Berlin on Saturday. The fans from Berlin would also remain silent, the statement said.
Fan protests: Against investors and for the 50+1 rule
The protest is not only directed against the entry of an investor, but also for compliance with the 50+1 rule. They saw the “fan scenes in Germany” as being violated in the vote on the potential investor. On December 11, 2023, exactly the necessary two-thirds majority was achieved at the general meeting of the 36 DFL clubs.
Based on the published voting behavior and leaked information, it can be assumed that Martin Kind, as managing director of Hannover 96, voted for entry. However, Hannover 96 eV, which would have to have the say according to the 50+1 rule, had instructed Kind to vote “no”. With reference to the secret ballot, Kind subsequently refused to provide any information about his voting behavior, including to the registered association.
The “German fan scenes” are therefore calling for “a new vote with complete transparency and compliance with the 50+1 rule”.
Chocolate coins and tennis balls to protest
After the vote in December, there were protests against the entry of an investor in a number of stadiums, including games in the 3rd league. The twelve-minute silence was widespread, and some fans threw tennis balls and sweets such as chocolate gold coins onto the field.