Borussia Dortmund has been sentenced to a hefty fine by the DFB sports court – another one is still pending. Union Berlin, Borussia Mönchengladbach, 1. FC Köln and TSG Hoffenheim were also prosecuted
The DFB sports court is currently working through the final weeks of the past Bundesliga season and fined a quartet on Thursday. Borussia Dortmund will have to pay the highest fine. According to the association, supporters of the fifth-placed team in the table had set off a total of 19 pyrotechnic objects during the match at Union Berlin on March 2, which produced such heavy smoke that the match had to be interrupted for three minutes.
Around a month later, BVB fans celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Westfalenstadion at the home match against VfB Stuttgart not only with a choreography, but also with 123 Bengal fires. The two fines add up to 147,700 euros. As usual, Dortmund will be able to use around a third of this amount (49,000 euros) for security and violence prevention measures. The expected UEFA fine for the black-and-yellow pyro show at the Champions League final in Wembley is still pending
Union will be fined 84,000 euros
BVB agreed to the DFB ruling, as did Union Berlin, Borussia Mönchengladbach, 1. FC Köln and TSG Hoffenheim, who were also prosecuted for fan offenses. The latter will have to dig deep into their pockets for incidents at the home match against VfB Stuttgart on March 16. During the 3-0 defeat, supporters set off at least 50 flares, five incidents of smoke powder and seven Bengal fires. The home fans also set off 97 other pyrotechnic items during the match. The DFB has now imposed a hefty fine of 212,000 euros.
Meanwhile, Union supporters had set off around 51 pyrotechnic objects in the away match at VfB Stuttgart on March 8 and at least 30 Bengal flares against SC Freiburg on matchday 34, as well as throwing at least three beer cups towards the pitch, according to the DFB. A total of 84,000 euros will be due.
Gladbach must pay 5,000 euros for five Bengal fires in Stuttgart on the last matchday, Cologne 2,000 euros for two pyrotechnic objects against Bochum on April 6.
