Since last year, protests have regularly taken place against the Bundesliga's sale of a portion of its revenue from marketing and media rights to foreign investors. As the finalization of the deal draws closer, dissatisfaction among fans is growing.

Are all methods fair game?

Fans fear additional match days, playing matches abroad, and the creation of loopholes through which investors could take control of the clubs. On January 20, during the FC Koeln - Borussia Dortmund match, fans threw chocolates onto the field. On February 10 in Berlin, tennis balls landed on the pitch during the Union vs. VfL Wolfsburg match.

However, last Friday at the beginning of the second half of the FC Koeln - Werder Bremen match, not only balls appeared, but also remotely controlled cars. However, they were not alone. Fans attached smoke bombs to them. Although the match was interrupted, and both teams went to the benches, the game resumed after less than two minutes.

© Daniel Bellinghausen

Do directors in Hanover not believe it?

An interesting protest also occurred in early February at Volksparkstadion during the Hamburger SV vs. Hannover match. During halftime, Hamburg fans attached thick metal bicycle locks to the goalpost, and objects were thrown onto the field. Staff had to use a saw to remove these blockades. Banners were also hung against CVC and Blackstone, two potential buyers covered by the league's investment agreement. Other banners depicted the face of Hannover's CEO, Martin Kind, who was targeted.

Hanover players approached the stands to talk to the fans. The match was ultimately resumed and ended with a 4-3 victory for Hanover, over 2 hours and 40 minutes after it began.

Martin Kind, a businessman long associated with Hanover, is a controversial figure in German football due to his role in the December vote to continue investment talks. The proposal was accepted with the consent of 24 out of 36 clubs from the top two leagues, constituting the required two-thirds majority. Kind did not want to say how he voted, but Hanover's club stated that they asked him to vote against.

© MgHamburg (cc: by-sa)