Hoffenheim supporters at the PreZero Arena yesterday lodged protests against the Friday ruling that allowed controversial agent Roger Wittmann back in their stadium. TSG Ultras in the south stands held up signs denouncing Wittmann’s presence during the home Bundesliga match against Bayern Munich yesterday. Wittmann himself immediately took advantage of his reinstated privileges and attended the afternoon fixture.
Reliable sources such as the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and others confirm that club patron Dietmar Hopp, Wittmann, and the third subject of the TSG stadium ban, former TSG academy head Dirk Mack, were at the game yesterday. Hopp, after initially recusing himself from the Wittmann matter, did eventually take a stand against the club leadership’s decision to bar the two men from the arena.
The Heidelberg regional court ruled that Wittmann and Mack could not legally be kept out of the Sinsheim venue as it constituted a public space. The ruling did allow Hoffenheim to continue to forbid both Wittmann and Mack from entering either club headquarters or the team’s training ground. The fact that Wittmann perjured himself during oral arguments in the case ultimately ended up having no bearing on the verdict.
Historical Parallels
What to make of the TSG protests? To begin with, it’s interesting to think back some five-and-a-half years to another match between Bayern and Hoffenheim at the PreZero Arena. At that time, just prior to the pandemic, it was Bayern ultras who brought the game to a standstill when a “Huhrensohn” banner directed at Hopp was unveiled late in the fixture.
Match official Christian Dingert, like several Bundesliga referees around that time, halted the match due to the fact that protests against Hopp were considered a violation of UEFA “anti-discrimination protocols”. The game was nearly abandoned. After play resumed, players simply kicked the ball around until full-time came.
The TSG fans remained firmly behind Hopp on that day, chanting his name for nearly 15 full minutes until the solidarity gesture from the players was complete. Bayern’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – among others – stood beside Hopp in the center circle after the match was officially completed. Hopp enjoyed full support inside the PreZero on February 29th, 2020.
Matters are very different now.
Editorial
From the prospective of German fans who hold the principle of 50+1 sacred, the manner in which matters have unfolded over the last 72 hours doesn’t make for a pleasant story. Dietmar Hopp promised the supporters of this club that he would return the organization back to fan control. In a legal sense, the 85-year-old has done this. On a moral level, Hopp initially did the right thing by remaining out of the board’s way when they decided to sever ties with Wittmann.
Hopp eventually did decide to become involved in the matter, and then publicly embraced the two men yesterday. It once again demonstrates that the club patron isn’t interested in respecting their desire of club management or the fans to move forward and establish their own unique identity. The matter of “TSG identity” itself proves problematic here.
Given that Wittmann and Hopp were both involved in installing the current duo of sporting director Andreas Shicker and head coach Christian Ilzer, one wonders if this club even stands a chance of establishing its own identity all all. Hoffenheim continue along the presaged path towards sporting success this season. We arrive at quite the contradiction.
Can the fans keep up this specific protest movement without explicitly rooting against their team? It’s quite the thin needle. One certainly has sympathy for those who have chose to adopt Hopp’s “vanity project”. Over the past 17 years or so, the fans are the ones who have leant their time and energy to this club.
The absolute least Hopp can do for them is truly step back as he promised. His work is done. Irrespective of what Hopp and Wittmann have done to build this club up over the years, the two fabulously wealthy clearly wish to continue to enrich and control.
Should Hopp and Wittmann remain defiant, fans paying good money to show up to the match and flash placards becomes the real “contradiction in terms” here. This isn’t the best form of protest when it comes to an issue like this.
What is the best form of protest? Fans staying outside of the stadium themselves. One doesn’t necessarily recommend that they stay home entirely. Coming to the grounds and protesting outside is the best option.
Make it clear to Hopp that, if Wittmann is allowed inside the PreZero Arena, it’s not worth patronizing this project by buying a ticket! Over the years, Hopp has proven that there’s nothing a billionaire can’t buy.
Except potentially the loyalty of German football fans.
There’s a message worth fighting for.
