The massive fan protests at the DFB Cup final between FC Bayern and VfB Stuttgart could now prove costly for both clubs. Following the gigantic pyro show and the interruption of the match, the DFB Control Committee has officially intervened
As the German Football Association confirmed at the request of dpa, the Control Committee will be looking closely into the incidents surrounding the final in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium
In particular, the enormous amount of pyrotechnics and the brief interruption of the match are likely to play a decisive role
Massive protests against the DFB
The fans of both clubs clearly expressed their displeasure with the association during the second half, with several large banners being displayed alongside loud chants of „Fuck the DFB“
Particularly striking: a huge banner with a crossed-out DFB logo wandered through the lower tier of the Olympic Stadium, bearing the words: „Plaintiff, judge, executioner“
The protests were primarily directed against what many fans saw as excessive ticket prices and the DFB’s jurisdiction over fan offenses
Match had to be interrupted
Shortly after Harry Kane’s opening goal, the situation finally escalated. Both fan camps set off massive amounts of pyrotechnics, completely fogging the Olympic Stadium in places. Referee Sven Jablonski was then forced to briefly interrupt the match. It was precisely this interruption that could now prove particularly costly
According to the „Guidelines for the work of the DFB Control Committee“, fines are automatically increased by 50 percent for interruptions of between one and five minutes
The potential sums are enormous. The DFB charges Bundesliga clubs around 1,000 euros per pyro flare ignited. There are also additional penalties for banned banners and other offences. As a result, the total fines for FC Bayern and VfB Stuttgart could be in the six-figure range
For comparison: Third division club Arminia Bielefeld had to pay a fine of around 50,000 euros last year after the cup final
Hoeneß calls for tough action
Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeneß reacted particularly clearly to the protest action: „The clubs, the DFB and politicians must crack down so that such outrageous behavior no longer happens,“ the 74-year-old ranted on Sky
Hoeneß showed little understanding for the fan protests: „The DFB is not guilty of anything,“ continued the Bayern patron
Stuttgart’s CEO Alexander Wehrle, on the other hand, reacted much more cautiously: „In general, we support the fan culture,“ explained the VfB boss
At the same time, however, Wehrle made it clear that game interruptions cross a line for him: „Football should be the focus for the entire 90 minutes,“ emphasized the 51-year-old
The DFB Control Committee is now expected to decide how severe the final penalties will be in the coming days.