Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich played out one of the most bizarre conclusions in the history of football as they passed the ball between each other for 13 minutes after a long delay for an offensive banner in the crowd.
Bayern were 6-0 up when their travelling fans unfurled an offensive banner about Hoffenheim president Dietmar Hopp.
Coach Hansi Flick and most of the players pleaded – angrily in some cases – with the fans to put it away. Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and board member Oliver Kahn – both former players – also attempted to talk to the ultras.
Referee Christian Dingert eventually took the players down the tunnel and the game was suspended for about 20 minutes.
The match eventually restarted from 77 minutes, with fans told it would be abandoned if the banner appeared again. Bayern’s and Hoffenheim’s players then just kicked the ball between themselves – with goalkeepers not in their goals – to get the game to its conclusion.
At the final whistle, 79-year-old Hopp, Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and the players stood on the pitch and applauded Hoffenheim fans in a show of solidarity.
Why is Hopp unpopular in Germany?
Billionaire Hopp is a divisive character in German football, having bankrolled Hoffenheim up from the fifth tier to the Bundesliga between 2000 and 2008.
In 2015, Hopp was allowed to take a majority voting share – one of three exceptions to the 50+1 rule which means members must own more than half the shares in their club.
The other two Bundesliga teams to not be owned by fans – Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg – were both founded as works clubs.
Bayern’s fans are not the first to protest against Hopp. In fact just last weekend a similar banner from Borussia Monchengladbach fans saw their Bundesliga game delayed.
And earlier this month Borussia Dortmund fans were banned from away games against Hoffenheim for the next two seasons.
Journalist Archie Rhind-Tutt, who was at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “There is a lot of opposition by fans of traditional clubs. Last week I saw Borussia Monchengladbach fans unveil a banner with his face in the crosshair. Dortmund fans did that too.
“That’s why Bayern ultras acted in solidarity with those two fans and held up the banner. Dortmund fans were chanting today in their game against Freiburg and it was briefly stopped.
“Flick was furious. He ran to the away end twice and told them to stop it. You wonder in the context of what is happening in society is this where they draw the line?
“This is a microcosm of the debate which has been brewing and bubbling away in German football for ages – tradition being rolled over by the new wave of money.
“This feels like a watershed moment for German football in the way this whole debate will kick off. It shows the disparity – you have groups of fans like ultras who stand for a fan ownership model and a large majority just want to watch the game.
“The feeling on the ground here is the right thing was done. I’m not sure that will be reflected across Germany. The debate will go on and on.”
What did they say?
Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick, who managed Hoffenheim from 2000 to 2005: “That has nothing to do with football. It can’t continue like this. It’s time to act. We need to stand together and cannot condone it.
“I grew up here and I’ve known Dietmar Hopp for over 20 years. I’m sorry for him as he’s done so much for society. Every single one of these troublemakers probably has someone in their family who has profited from what Dietmar Hopp has done – when it comes to cancer research, for example.
“We need to stand together and fight these troublemakers, these idiots. It’s a dark day for FC Bayern. Both clubs made a very big statement today.”
German football league chief executive Christian Seifert: “The continuous animosity towards Dietmar Hopp has been unacceptable for some time and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. There are no excuses.
“Everyone involved – players, officials, Hoffenheim and Bayern board members and the majority of the people in the stadium – reacted to this situation in an exemplary manner and sent out a clear statement that this sort of thing will no longer be tolerated. This type of hatred can have no place in football. That has to be the aspiration of German football as a whole.”
Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “I’m deeply embarrassed, particularly for Dietmar Hopp. Football reared its ugly head. The moment has come for the whole of German football to stand together. For too long we’ve turned a blind eye to what’s been going on in the stands.
“After what happened today we need to rethink things and we need to fight it with everything we have. We filmed everything and will come down heavily on our fans and bring them to justice. These people have no place in football stadiums.”
Hoffenheim manager Alfred Schreuder: “Everyone’s incredibly disappointed with what happened. Dietmar Hopp has done so much for the region and for us. We’re sad and we feel very sorry for him. The behaviour of the two teams was very good. It’s embarrassing when something like that happens. We’re not talking about thousands of fans, just a couple. What Dietmar Hopp has done with his career is special. Nobody deserves that.”
Hoffenheim captain Benjamin Hubner: “I think the referee reacted correctly. He stopped the game initially before taking us into the changing room. I hope we made a statement today. That’s what football should do – it connects people. I think it was a historic game. We should all build on that.”
What actually happened in the game?
The game looked to be noteworthy for a different reason before the late drama because, if the result stands, it will be Hoffenheim’s biggest home defeat in the Bundesliga.
League leaders Bayern followed their impressive 3-0 Champions League win at Chelsea up with a rapid start – without star striker Robert Lewandowski who is out injured for four weeks.
Serge Gnabry volleyed home a Thomas Muller cross before Joshua Kimmich doubled their lead. Teenager striker Joshua Zirkzee slotted home from six yards out – his fourth goal in four Bundesliga games.
Philippe Coutinho scored twice before Leon Goretzka added a sixth. But those goals will just be a footnote on this game – even if the result is allowed to stand.
source: BBC
