Bundesliga fans collectively remained silent for up to 20 minutes to protest increased ticket prices and other issues.
The German league’s supporters have also been unhappy with inconvenient kick-off times and the general commercialisation of the game.
Werder Bremen fans engaged in the “atmosphere boycott” by remaining silent for a total of 18 minutes and 30 seconds in their win over Hertha Berlin.
Hertha supporters held their silence for the planned 20 minutes, with similar scenes at matches in Munich, Hannover and Freiburg.
The protest against the German Football Federation (DFB) and the German Football League (DFL) came to fruition after supporters felt their requests were not heard during a dialogue.
Throughout the stadiums, signs stating, “imagine it’s football and no one can go,” “stop the carve-up of game-days,” and “football is for you and me – not for (expletive) pay-TV” could be seen.
The protests come after a recent study showed ticket prices across the Bundesliga have decreased for the first time in five years.
The average price of the cheapest season and match day tickets fell €0.60 from last year. The most expensive prices have also fallen – marking the first time that a fall in all four categories has occurred since 2013-14, when the German media firm, Sponsors, began analysing prices.
As it stands, the cheapest tickets will cost German football fans €15.20, down from €15.80 last year. The most expensive ticket will cost €2.30 less than last year’s high of €72.90.
Image: Bjørn Giesenbauer
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