February 19 – Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic has called for a “quick and sensible solution” to end weeks of supporter protests against proposed foreign investment in the Bundesliga after more matches endured frequent disruptions at the weekend.
Clubs in Germany’s top two divisions voted in December to approve a proposal allowing a financial investor to acquire a share of the German Football League’s (DFL) media arm in a deal valued at between €900 million and €1 billion.
“I think we’d all like to see a quick and sensible solution, whether we’re on the pitch or on the line,” Terzic told reporters. “I believe that nobody, regardless of whether they were here today as a fan alone, in a group or with their family, imagines the football experience in this way.”
When Dortmund were held 1-1 at VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday play was repeatedly stopped to allow stadium staff to clear the pitch as fans continued to throw tennis balls and other items.
“We are all here to watch the sport and to fight for points and goals. And unfortunately that didn’t take place over 90 minutes today, but for an extremely long time with lots of interruptions,” said Terzic.
“The game continued even though it felt like there were 50 stewards on the pitch, there were a lot of (tennis) balls. As a result, it was sometimes very dangerous. You have to say that we’re glad that nothing more serious happened today.”
The frequent interruptions left players complaining their performances were being affected.
“I think it’s a good thing but at some point, it’s enough. I hope it comes to an end. We suffer extremely from it and lose our rhythm,” Dortmund midfielder Emre Can told reporters.
Remote-controlled model airplanes were flown on to the field during Eintracht Frankfurt’s 3-3 draw with Freiburg while several other fixtures were also disrupted.
Bochum fans also threw tennis balls onto the field forcing an early halt to play against Bayern Munich. As soon as they were cleared, Bayern supporters flung more from their section, leading the referee to tell both teams to return to their dressing rooms. The fans also chanted expletives against the German football league (DFL).
On the pitch, under-pressure Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly set to keep his job despite a third straight defeat in all competitions, the latest at Bochum leaving the defending champions eight points behind Bayer Leverkusen with 12 rounds remaining.
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