Constitutional Court Rules States Can Charge Bundesliga Clubs for Police Costs
The Federal Constitutional Court of Germany has ruled that regional states are permitted to charge Bundesliga clubs for police expenses incurred during high-risk football matches. This decision has sparked significant debate among fan organizations and officials alike.
Two prominent fan groups have expressed strong disapproval of the ruling, labeling it as a license for an increasingly aggressive police presence at sporting events. They argue that ensuring public safety is a fundamental responsibility of the state, which should be funded through taxpayer money. According to statements from these organizations, the German professional football sector already contributes significantly to public safety, with payments totaling approximately EUR1.6 billion annually.
In contrast, Bremen's Interior Senator, Ulrich Mäurer, welcomed the court's decision, describing it as satisfactory and suggesting the establishment of a centralized fund to streamline the process of charging clubs. This proposal aims to prevent individual states from having to create separate fee structures. Some states, like Hamburg and Lower Saxony, have shown openness to adopting similar measures following the ruling.
Mäurer emphasized that pressure on professional football is increasing, and while clubs may resist, they will ultimately have to bear the costs. He voiced confidence that a majority could be gathered at the next Federal Interior Ministers' Conference to finalize the discussion on the matter.
The German Football League (DFL) had anticipated a negative outcome and has already stated that clubs from regions where fees are not imposed would not contribute to any collective fund. The DFL underscored that the responsibility for these costs lies with individual state governments.
High-risk matches, characterized by a higher likelihood of fan conflicts, have been a focal point for discussions about police funding. During the 2022/23 season, there were 52 matches classified as high-risk out of a total of 612 games in Germany's top two leagues. Regular Bundesliga matches in Bremen typically require the deployment of 500 to 600 law enforcement personnel, while high-risk games necessitate an estimated 800 to 1,000 officers.
The Bremen Fees and Charges Act has allowed the city to impose fees for police services at profit-oriented events with over 5,000 attendees since 2014, particularly when violence is anticipated. The DFL has contested this regulation, claiming it is unconstitutional. The first fee notice was issued in 2015 for a match between Werder Bremen and Hamburger SV, amounting to around EUR400,000. Since then, additional charges have accumulated, totaling over EUR3 million to date.
Beyond high-risk games, the financial burden of police deployments at football events is substantial. In the 2022/23 season, police expenses in Rhineland-Palatinate alone reached approximately EUR4.6 million for various matches across different leagues and competitions. The issue of violence associated with football matches has been a recurring topic in Interior Ministers' conferences, particularly in light of ongoing concerns over pyrotechnics in fan sections.
