Bundesliga club BVB challenges AfD's advertising campaign; AfD politician retaliates against BVB's stance
Borussia Dortmund Takes Legal Action Against AfD Campaign Sticker
Football club Borussia Dortmund (BVB) has initiated legal action against the local chapter of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, following the use of the club's iconic colours in a campaign sticker for the upcoming election in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW).
According to a report by "Junge Freiheit", the BVB has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Bundestag MP Matthias Helferich and the AfD district association Dortmund. The letter states that the use of the club's unique and world-renowned colour combination of black and yellow is illegal, as it contradicts the values of Borussia Dortmund and gives an impression that contradicts their values.
The BVB spokesperson explained that an illegal attempt is being made to establish a link between the BVB and a political stance and voting behavior, by suggesting that a BVB football fan would or must also vote for the AfD. The spokesperson's statement was made to dpa.
The campaign sticker, which reads "Black and yellow in football - blue on Sunday", uses the colours of Borussia Dortmund, a Bundesligist club. The BVB argues that the use of their colours by the AfD is an "appropriation" that they cannot accept.
Politician Helferich, who was recently expelled from the NRW AfD due to controversial statements, has stated that even if the AfD Dortmund loses legally, thousands of Dortmund fans will still vote for the AfD on September 14. However, there is no direct response from the AfD about such a case in the provided results.
It is important to note that this action by the BVB is not related to the ongoing trial for the rape allegation involving former BVB star Hakimi. The club has given Helferich and the AfD district association until Tuesday (5 August) to sign the cease-and-desist declaration.
This is a developing story, and more information may become available in the coming days. Stay tuned for updates.
- The legal action initiated by Borussia Dortmund against the AfD party indicates a potential intersection of general-news and politics, as the club's iconic colors are being used in a political campaign sticker for the upcoming election, possibly creating a controversial association.
- The use of Borussia Dortmund's unique color combination of black and yellow in a campaign sticker by the AfD party has sparked a debate on whether it constitutes an unlawful "appropriation" and a misrepresentation of the football club's values, a matter now under legal scrutiny.
