Bundesliga: Plans to sell share of TV rights scrapped following fan protests
- Published
Borussia Dortmund's supporters displayed protest banners during their win over Freiburg this month
Plans to sell a stake in Bundesliga TV rights in exchange for investment have been scrapped by German football bosses following months of fan protests.
The Deutsche Fussball Liga (DFL) said it took the decision after multiple disruptions in recent matches.
In December, majority of clubs approved an investment proposal worth up to £860m (1bn euros).
"Continuation of the process no longer seems possible," said DFL spokesman Hans-Joachim Watzke.
"Even if there is a large majority in favour of the entrepreneurial necessity of the strategic partnership, German professional football is in the midst of a crucial test, which is causing major disputes," he said, following an emergency meeting of the DFL on Wednesday.
He added that the disputes were "increasingly jeopardising match operations, specific match schedules and thus the integrity of the competition".
The proposal from the DFL, which governs the top two tiers of German football, had been approved on 11 December, with two thirds of clubs voting in favour of it.
In response, fans made their opposition to the move known. On Sunday, tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch during Bochum's 3-2 win over Bayern Munich.
Last Saturday's Bundesliga 2 match between Hansa Rostock and Hamburg was interrupted by remote control cars carrying smoke bombs.
Earlier this month, Borussia Dortmund's 3-0 home win over Freiburg was halted for 10 minutes after supporters threw tennis balls and chocolate gold coins on to the pitch. Fans also displayed a number of banners in the protest, including one that read "No to investors in the DFL".
Other disruptions included Hamburg fans chaining three padlocks to each goal at half-time of their Bundesliga 2 win over Hannover, with play unable to restart until they were removed.