Hannover 96: 198,400 euros fine for chaos in the stadium!

Hannover 96: 198,400 euros fine for chaos in the stadium!

A serious blow for Hannover 96: The DFB sports court has fined the club 198,400 euros. The reason for this is repeated incidents of unsportsmanlike behavior by supporters, which caused excitement in several games. The verdict was handed down in a single judge trial and includes three fines covering various incidents. In particular, the penalties for the home game against SC Paderborn on February 22, 2025 and for the away game against 1. FC Köln on November 30, 2024 were significant. The reported here NDR that fans set off at least 90 pyrotechnic items, delaying kick-off time by seven minutes.

The penalties imposed by the German Football Association (DFB) are anything but small. For the above-mentioned incidents alone, Hannover 96 was fined 82,200 euros for Paderborn and 66,000 euros for the Bengal Fires in Cologne. Another financial loss resulted from what happened at the home game against SSV Ulm, which took place on May 3, 2025. Here the fans fired ten smokers and ignited four batteries of fireworks, which cost 55,200 euros. The DFB also states that the association can use up to 66,100 euros of this fine for security or violence prevention measures, provided appropriate evidence is provided by December 31, 2025.

A look at the numbers

In the last two years, Hannover 96 has paid a significant 1.2 million euros in fines. In order to alleviate this enormous financial pressure, the club has decided to increase ticket prices in some areas of the stadium. This is intended to at least partially cover the penalties, as calls for financial measures are becoming louder. There is a call for experts to reflect on the effectiveness of the ever-increasing fines. An example of this is the experience of Tommy Haeder from Chemnitzer FC, who calls for breaking away from old ways of thinking.

The problem surrounding pyrotechnics in football is also not new. The Sports day highlights that the DFB has already imposed more than seven million euros in fines since the 2018/2019 season. In the 2022/2023 season alone there were almost 300 proceedings, which resulted in a total of over seven million euros in penalties. Despite these measures, pyrotechnics remain a hotly debated topic as many fans see them as part of football culture.

A rethink required?

The discussion about the possible legalization of pyrotechnics in stadiums is increasing. In Norway, this is being tested as part of a pilot project in which certain conditions would also allow the burning of pyrotechnics. This model could also be groundbreaking for German football if you consider the validity of the sanctions. The mix of support and criticism remains a constant theme and, according to sociologist Stephanie Moldenhauer, moving away from pure fines could be the solution for clubs like Hannover 96 to improve stadium security. One thing is clear: a clarifying rethink is needed on the part of the associations, which are currently still relying on fines.