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It all kicks off in the Bundesliga

There are many admirers in the UK of the German 50+1 ownership model, but in fact it encounters more problems than is often admitted.  Having lived and worked in Germany, I also think that German models are not that readily translatable to the different climate of the UK.

Now it's all kicking off again between the league and the ultras, reports Off the Pitch.com.  It all started with the protests against Hoffenheim's ex-president Dietmar Hopp who managed to get round the 50+1 rule.

One consequence of the rule was that ultras were allowed to stage their protests inside stadiums, but many felt they went too far with some of the slogans they used against Hopp.

Meetings with fan representatives before the pandemic failed to find a solution and it is feared that it will all kick off again once crowds are allowed back in the stadiums.   It is certainly not the Ordnungspolitik which the Verein model is supposed to offer.

It brings back all the arguments I had with German colleagues years ago.  If I wasn't behind with a book contract, I would write at greater length!



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