Fans Bicker over DFL Investor Deal: Paderborn Game Paused
The football fans of SC Paderborn and Hansa Rostock made their frustrations known during their second division clash, as they took issue with the German Football League (DFL) backing an investor deal. Fans from both sides initiated a 12-minute boycott at the start of the match, showcasing their disapproval. Following the boycott, the Rostock supporters opted to use pyrotechnics, causing the referee to halt the game temporarily.
It wasn't just Paderborn and Rostock's fans voicing their concerns - FC Schalke's visiting supporters participated in a boycott at their match against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, displaying banners that read "No to Investors in the DFL!".
The outcry stems from the DFL's decision to give the green light for financial investors to contribute up to one billion euros towards a stake in the TV revenue distributions. A partnership agreement, with a term maximum of 20 years, was authorized by the league's professional clubs.
The fanbase, however, is not on board with this controversial investment project. In response, they announced a collective 12-minute opposition in the stadiums this weekend. In a statement, they declared, "We will pool our resources together to combat the greed and arbitrariness of the DFL's management. There's still time for the league to halt this catastrophic investment plan."
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- Fans from both SC Paderborn and Hansa Rostock raised their voices against the DFL's investor deal during the second division match.
- Fan protests continued after the 12-minute boycott by both sets of fans, with Rostock's supporters using pyrotechnics.
- Professional clubs authorized the DFL to secure a financial investment, with investors contributing up to one billion euros towards a percentage share of the TV revenues.
- Correspondingly, many football fans in Germany are not in favor of this investor deal, with the fan scene announcing a coordinated 12-minute boycott in stadiums this weekend.
- Fans at FC Schalke's match against SpVgg Greuther Fürth also expressed their opposition to investors in the DFL by participating in a boycott.
- The consequences of the investor deal could significantly impact the soccer landscape in Germany, with the DFL entered into a partnership agreement with a strategic marketing partner for up to 20 years.
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Footnote:
Rumors circulate in the margins of the soccer community that DFL plans to invest in growth projects starting from 2026/27, committing €10 million for the first season and €20 million in the following two seasons. This investment would decrease the annual TV revenue distribution of €1.1 billion, which is set to decrease slightly from the current season's distribution of around €1.17 billion. The clubs' reception, both positive and negative, is described as a mix of endorsement and dispute. The historic clubs in the second tier, including Schalke 04 and Hamburger SV, advocate for greater consideration of public interest in the deal. The overall impact on fans, as reported in the sources, is not explicitly stated but is likely concerned with the stability and fairness of the revenue distribution system.
