Munich – Solutions are needed for dealing with hate and insults in the stadium. Here above all the clubs are demanded, commentates Olaf Schröder.The scandalous matchday in the Bundesliga leaves many at a loss. How should things continue so that German football does not sink into chaos in the coming weeks?
Already the call is being made for the DFB and DFL to provide a higher-level solution. This is right in terms of homophobia, racism and discrimination. It’s wrong with regard to what happened last weekend. Here the solution must come from the clubs.
The first reflex would be to seek dialogue with those who were responsible for the actions last weekend. But let us be honest: the time for dialogue is probably long gone and I do not think it will lead to the desired result.
For years now, a relatively small group of the general public has been allowed influence and privileges that promote what we are now seeing. Under pressure from the Ultras, the professional clubs have said goodbye to Monday as the matchday for the Bundesliga and the 2nd division. However, the events of the weekend mean that they no longer only have influence over the matchdays, but even over the sporting outcome – and thus have a completely new means of exerting pressure.
The scene enjoys privileges, as in many places they are responsible for the atmosphere in the stadium and are also socially involved. However, parts of the Ultra scene apparently consider themselves untouchable for this reason. The desire for a good atmosphere should not be allowed to make sure that they are able to take on everything.
It took the media impact of FC Bayern to make sure that the urgency of the problem was recognized by everyone. Last week, the match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Hoffenheim was also about to be abandoned, but this did not cause comparable shock waves.
Now the clubs must show their colours. After all, the means to combat hatred, insults and exclusion in the stadium do exist. The clubs have the right of domiciliation in the stadium. They get to decide who gets in, who gets out and who doesn’t get back in. These house rules must be implemented consistently in future.
However, this also means a higher financial burden through investments in their own security services and controls. If an insulting banner is held up, or if some people disguise themselves, then action must be taken. In a block. Even if that is the most unpopular of all measures. In combination with modern video technology in German stadiums, it should be possible to track down many of the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Also financially.
Because to implement this line, the clubs will need the support of the police, which can also lead to a higher financial burden. It is bad enough that the clubs have to put their money not into the team but into the conflict with their own group of supporters.
My respect and appreciation go to FC Bayern, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Dietmar Hopp for sending a signal on Saturday. But above all to the players on the pitch.
The Bavarians now want to move forward. Perpetrators who are identified are “not allowed to watch any more of our games”, Rummenigge announced. This is the only way forward that makes sense now.Because even though expressions of opinion must of course be allowed in the stadium, it is not too much to ask to adhere to existing laws. Football and the many other fans must be protected.