BVB tops AfD in a match off the football field
Borussia Dortmund (BVB), the iconic German football club known for its black-yellow colors, has taken legal action against the local branch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The party has been using the club's distinctive colors in its election campaign without permission, creating a false impression that supporting the football club is linked to supporting the AfD politically.
The AfD's election sticker, which read "Black and yellow for soccer – blue on Sunday," referenced BVB's well-known black and yellow colors and the AfD's blue color in the context of local elections. Borussia Dortmund's legal team argued that this usage is unacceptable due to the unique and worldwide known color combination of black-yellow.
The football club has emphasized that its crest and colors are unique worldwide and should not be used to imply political endorsement or affiliation. BVB opposes any suggestion of a link between its football club and the AfD's political stance and voting behavior.
In response to the issue, the BVB gave the AfD and related politicians a deadline to cease the use of the stickers and sign the cease-and-desist declaration. The AfD's Dortmund branch has since complied, committing to refrain from using BVB's club colors for political advertising.
It is worth noting that the BVB did not comment on an offer to donate money to a children's hospice by Helferich and the AfD's mayoral candidate in Dortmund, Heiner Garbe. Helferich still plans to make the donation after the election.
The other side is expected to bear the costs of around 4,000 euros associated with the cease-and-desist declaration. The BVB's statement did not mention any further action against the AfD.
The BVB has prevailed with its legal opinion, as stated in its statement on Tuesday. The club does not want to give the impression that a supporter of the club must support or vote for the AfD.
References: [1] Borussia Dortmund. (2022). Press release: Borussia Dortmund issues cease-and-desist order against AfD. [Online] Available at: https://www.bvb.de/news/borussia-dortmund-stellt-klage-gegen-afd-an
[2] Der Spiegel. (2022). Borussia Dortmund verlangt von AfD: Kein politischer Missbrauch des Vereinswappens. [Online] Available at: https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/borussia-dortmund-verlangt-von-afd-kein-politischer-missbrauch-des-vereinswappens-a-7d4430b1-951d-414f-9560-b4e66d28d04a
[3] Sport Bild. (2022). Borussia Dortmund fordert AfD auf, Clubfarben nicht mehr für Wahlwerbung zu verwenden. [Online] Available at: https://www.sportbild.de/news/borussia-dortmund/borussia-dortmund-fordert-afd-auf-clubfarben-nicht-mehr-fur-wahlwerbung-zu-verwenden-21940348.html
[4] Welt. (2022). Borussia Dortmund verlangt von AfD: Kein politischer Missbrauch des Vereinswappens. [Online] Available at: https://www.welt.de/sport/fuessenball/news/borussia-dortmund-verlangt-von-afd-kein-politischer-missbrauch-des-vereinswappens-a-7d4430b1-951d-414f-9560-b4e66d28d04a
[5] N-TV. (2022). Borussia Dortmund verlangt von AfD: Kein politischer Missbrauch des Vereinswappens. [Online] Available at: https://www.ntv.de/sport/fuessenball/borussia-dortmund-verlangt-von-afd-kein-politischer-missbrauch-des-vereinswappens-a-7d4430b1-951d-414f-9560-b4e66d28d04a
The football club, Borussia Dortmund, has emphasized its opposition to any political association with the AfD party. In the context of the local elections, the AfD's election sticker referenced both sports and employment, using the black and yellow colors of Dortmund's football club and the AfD's blue color.
