DFB bans Dynamo Dresden from 2013-14 DFB Pokal, Hannover 96 handed massive fine

The German Football Association (DFB) have handed down serious punishments on Dynamo Dresden and Hannover 96 after supporters from both clubs were involved in altercations during their second round match of the DFB Pokal. Hannover won the match on penalties.

Dynamo Dresden have been banned from the 2013-2014 DFB Pokal as a result of their supporters forcing their way into the stadium, lighting flares in the stands, and running onto the pitch during and after the match. The DFB is handing down the ban after this year’s incident combined with last year’s similar incidents at Borussia Dortmund where the club was fined €100,000.

Christian Müller, the club’s managing director, has criticized the behavior of the “minority” of estimated 10,000 Dresden supporters that misbehaved at the AWD Arena but disagrees with the punishment issued by the DFB. “The sports court has certified that Dynamo Dresden has done nothing wrong. We are punished anyway and harder than last time. This is a vicious circle that threatens the existence of our organization.”

While Hannover 96 are not seeing a ban due to previous good fan behavior, the DFB have handed down a fine in the amount of €70,000. Hannover president Martin Kind criticized the behavior of their supporters after the contest, and he announced that the club was accepting the punishment being handed out by the DFB.

This announcement comes just two days before a huge vote in German football where the clubs and various authorities will vote on extremely stringent rules being put in place that will drastically affect the matchday experience at Bundesliga matches. The proposals include such things as reduction in the number of tickets given to away supporters, full body scanners at stadium entrances, and a complete ban on safe standing.