German Court Rules Football Clubs Must Pay for Police at High-Risk Matches

The decision by Germany's Federal Constitutional Court shifts security costs to clubs, raising concerns about ticket prices and smaller teams' viability.

Germany's Federal Constitutional Court has ruled that football clubs must bear the costs of additional police deployments for high-risk matches.
The decision stems from a legal dispute between the German Football League (DFL) and the city of Bremen, which began billing Werder Bremen for police costs in 2015.
Critics fear the ruling could lead to higher ticket prices for fans, further commercializing the sport and excluding lower-income supporters.
Smaller clubs in lower leagues may struggle to afford these costs, risking financial instability or the exclusion of away fans from matches.
Supporters and experts argue for increased investment in preventive fan work and question whether this ruling could set a precedent for other large-scale events.