VfL Bochum has been fined by the DFB sports court. The club also announced changes to the deposit and beer prices.

VfL Bochum has been sentenced again for the misconduct of its fans. The club was fined 20,000 euros by the sports court of the German Football Association (DFB) for incidents at the league match with Union Berlin on 14 May (2:3). The supporters had set off numerous pyrotechnic objects (Bengal flares and blue smoke) in the visitors’ block when the teams entered. The match was not affected by this.

Of the fine, 6500 euros may be used for security or infrastructural measures. The VfL has agreed to the verdict, which is thus legally binding.

In addition, the club announced some changes in the stadium catering on Tuesday afternoon. A deposit of two euros per cup will now be charged for beverage cups, regardless of which drink is in the cup. The cups can be returned at the kiosks in exchange for a credit to a suitable cashless payment method or, after the final whistle, in exchange for cash at the former ticket booths around the Vonovia Ruhrstadion, which have been converted for this purpose. There is also the option of donating the deposit to a good cause. In addition, the number of returnable cups in circulation is to be increased by the club deliberately dispensing with cups with seasonal motifs from now on.

Due to the increased costs of raw materials, energy and supply chains as well as the increase in the minimum wage, the prices for beer will also be increased by 50 cents. The price for basic beverages will remain stable at 2.50 euros per half litre of water.

In addition, the capacity of the Vonovia Ruhrstadion will be fixed at 26,000 seats for the coming season. According to the club, this is the result of renovation measures, a fixed quota of ten per cent for guest fans and feedback from the club’s own supporters in the recent past.