2nd league
Hertha boss: Protest with tennis ball campaign too long
At Hertha BSC’s game against Hamburger SV, fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch in protest against the DFL’s investor plans. photo
© Soeren Stache/dpa
The top game in the 2nd league between Hertha and HSV is overshadowed by protests against the DFL. Hertha shows understanding, but fears financial consequences.
“I completely understand the criticism. It’s completely legitimate to take actions and express criticism. The manner is different. That went on for too long for me,” said the 59-year-old after the second division game. “That disrupted the flow of the game.”
The protest, which also took place in shorter form in many other stadiums, is directed against the investor plans of the German Football League (DFL). The game, which ended 2-1 (0-0) for HSV in the Olympic Stadium, was about to be abandoned when countless tennis balls were thrown onto the field from the Hertha curve in the second half. The game was interrupted for more than 30 minutes. According to the club, Hertha did not vote for the planned entry of an investor into the DFL during the vote in December.
Herrich fears financial consequences for the cash-strapped club after the protest. “This will result in a severe penalty,” he said. They now want to talk to the fans. “We will always engage in dialogue and we will do so now,” he said. Sports director Benjamin Weber praised referee Daniel Schlager’s calm reaction. Hertha’s defeat had nothing to do with the long interruption.