Former Liverpool star Emre Can found himself at the center of attention during Borussia Dortmund’s match against Freiburg as fans protested against future investment in the German Football League. The clash was interrupted for ten minutes as supporters threw tennis balls and chocolate coins onto the pitch, a symbolic act that has become a form of protest in German football.
The protests stem from recent revelations that two-thirds of Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga sides voted in favor of an investor purchasing a stake in the Bundesliga media rights company. The minority stake of the Deutsche Fussball Liga (DFL) is said to be around eight percent, with the potential agreement being worth a staggering £860 million over 20 years. However, fans in Germany have strongly opposed this move, viewing it as a threat to the integrity and fan ownership of their clubs.
This is not the first time Dortmund has experienced such protests. In January, during a match against Cologne, supporters interrupted the game by throwing tennis balls and chocolate coins onto the pitch to symbolize the “12th man,” referring to the passionate support that fans provide. The incident on Friday night at the Signal Iduna Park was a continuation of this trend, with fans showing no signs of backing down.
As the match was halted for a total of ten minutes, officials worked to clear the pitch of the thrown objects. To try and calm the situation, Dortmund’s Emre Can engaged with fans, seemingly trying to understand their concerns and potentially bring an end to the protests. Both Dortmund and Freiburg players stood around and passed the ball between themselves while supporters made their voices heard.
Eventually, play resumed, with Dortmund leading 1-0 through Donyell Malen’s stunning opener. Deep into injury time, Malen scored his second goal of the game, securing a 3-0 victory for Dortmund. The former Arsenal academy forward now has nine Bundesliga goals this season, matching his tally from the previous campaign.
Despite the resumption of play, there were further disruptions as more tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch midway through the second half. However, this time, the action was paused only briefly before continuing. Dortmund sealed their victory late on when Niclas Fullkrug headed in from Ian Maatsen’s cross, with the Chelsea loanee showcasing his excellent form in Germany.
The protests against external investment in the DFL highlight the deep-rooted passion and commitment that German football fans have for their clubs. With European leagues increasingly exploring external funding options to boost revenue, it is clear that German fans are not willing to compromise on their principles and the fan-owned nature of their clubs. The events at the Signal Iduna Park serve as a powerful reminder that football clubs are more than just businesses; they represent the heart and soul of their communities.