Germany: clubs sanctioned for violence able to pay part of their fines through prevention projects

"The Sports Court of the German Football Association (DFB) has imposed a fine totaling €60,000 on 1. FC Köln (Bundesliga) following accusations by the DFB control committee of two cases of unsportsmanlike behaviour by its supporters," announced the DFB on 21/01/2020.

"The club can use up to €20,000 of this amount for safety and violence prevention measures, proof of which must be provided to the Federation by 30/09/2020," said the DFB.

The German Football Association is therefore permitting the sanctioned club to pay part of its fine by financing prevention projects, subject to proof of such expenditure.

• "Before the start of the 1. FC Saarbrücken - 1. FC Köln game (3-2, second round of the DFB Pokal, in Völklingen on 29/10/2019), flares, smoke and rockets were lit in the FC Köln's spectators area.
• Before the kick-off, in the 14^th and 46^th minutes of FSV Mainz 05 - 1. FC Köln (3-1, Matchday 9 of the 2019-20 Bundesliga season, in Mainz, 25/10/2019), the FC Köln spectators lit a total of 29 pyrotechnic devices," said the German Football Association in justification for the €60,000…