The Bundesliga and pyrotechnics go hand in hand, as the fans of the league have consistently used these dangerous yet wondrous devices for over a decade to make the game look that bit more memorable. However, due to how dangerous they can be, they have also been illegal this entire time. Just about every club, from Borussia Dortmund to FC Köln to even RB Leipzig (having somehow mustered up enough fan support for pyrotechnic usage), have faced fines from the DFL, the organizers of the Bundesliga, due to the fan usage of pyrotechnics.
This extends to European competitions, as Bayern Munich were banned from bringing fans to a Champions League away match against Arsenal FC due to the use of pyrotechnics. Yet after over a decade of fines, consistent messages that pyrotechnics simply have no place in football and continuous unsuccessful attempts to eradicate the usage of pyrotechnics, it seems that German teams may be able to breathe a bit easier on the domestic front as the DFL may be starting to relent. The DFL is finally considering making the use of pyrotechnics legal, according to SportBild and captured by @iMiaSanMia. With restrictions, of course. They are still dangerous in the wrong hands, after all. SportBild’s report reads like this:
The DFL is exploring the possibility of allowing fans to set off pyrotechnics in Bundesliga stadiums under certain conditions
• People who are allowed to set off pyrotechnics must be over 18 years old, sober and identifiable
• Only certified pyrotechnics are permitted, and may only be set off in a maximum of two marked areas near the ultras
• A minimum distance of one meter from other fans must be maintained when using flares
• Adequate fire extinguishing equipment must be available
• Clubs must sanction violations in accordance with a set of rules
The management of the DFL is in contact with the Norwegian football league as the Norwegian authorities have granted an exemption for a two-year pilot project to set off pyrotechnics in the stadiums of the first and second division teams under these conditions
If this report is accurate, is a this cooperation between the DFL and the fans really going to work after a decade of complete non-cooperation? And is this the right move, to make this legal and work towards preserving the spectacle of pyrotechnics? Or will this just spur fans on to be even more reckless with their pyrotechnics, simply encouraging them to be more dangerous? We can only wait and see.
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