The Bavarian Interior Minister, Joachim Herrmann of the CSU party, has strongly dismissed accusations that the recent wave of stadium bans constitutes a blanket suspicion of the entire fan community. In an interview with broadcaster “Welt” Herrmann characterized the criticism as “utter nonsense” defending the measures as targeted interventions against specific individuals.
Herrmann emphasized that the stadium bans are intended to address demonstrable misconduct by identified individuals, not an indiscriminate crackdown on fans. He underscored the importance of consistent criteria nationwide, suggesting a potential expansion of the bans to all German stadiums when applicable.
Critically, Herrmann highlighted the limited role of the state in the decision-making process. He asserted that Bundesliga clubs, the German Football League (DFL) and the German Football Association (DFB) generally determine stadium access, with only the most severe criminal offenses escalating to legal proceedings. “Stadium bans are not issued by an Interior Minister” he stated, emphasizing the responsibility of the clubs.
However, Herrmann acknowledged a crucial dependency on police input. The DFB has reportedly requested assistance from law enforcement agencies, prompting the police to share relevant information and investigative results with the clubs. While expressing a desire to improve communication on this point, he affirmed the police’s willingness to provide such data, reinforcing the club’s authority in subsequently issuing bans.
The situation raises questions about the balance of power between state authority, football governance and individual freedoms. While Herrmann’s defense aims to quell accusations of mass suspicion, it also reveals a system reliant on potentially subjective assessments by clubs, informed by police intelligence – a chain susceptible to bias and lacking transparent appeal mechanisms, potentially impacting broader civic participation and chilling legitimate dissent. The absence of robust oversight remains a significant point of concern.
