The North Rhine-Westphalia clubs from Cologne, Bochum, and Gelsenkirchen are calling on policymakers to find joint solutions regarding stadium safety. The three clubs reject collective penalties.
In recent weeks, many first-division stadiums have observed a moment of silence—at least for the first twelve minutes. Numerous fan groups had previously criticized planned measures by policymakers at the upcoming Conference of Interior Ministers (IMK) in Bremen as amounting to blanket suspicion.
Some points have since been taken off the table. According to Bremen’s Interior Senator Ulrich Mäurer (SPD), personalized tickets, comprehensive ID checks, facial recognition, AI surveillance, and pyrotechnics are not on the agenda for the three-day conference.
This has somewhat deflated the issue. On Thursday, 1. FC Köln, FC Schalke, and VfL Bochum issued a joint statement regarding the current debate on stadium security and the deliberations of the Conference of Interior Ministers.
The statement notes that for the clubs signing this declaration, a vibrant and diverse fan culture is an integral part of their clubs and traditions. At the same time, the protection of all stadium visitors is, of course, an absolute priority. And these two aspects go hand in hand.
Only a continuous, fact-based dialogue can strike a balance between high security and a vibrant fan culture.
Schalke, VfL Bochum, 1. FC Köln
The statement explains: “In the run-up to the IMK, we are already in close communication with political leaders—especially at the state level. Likewise, the NRW clubs are coordinating closely with one another, with the associations, and with the relevant bodies of German soccer. Our primary concern is to make the discussion more objective. Because we are convinced: Only a continuous, fact-based dialogue creates a balance between high security and a vibrant fan culture.”
The clubs emphasize that the stadium experience in German stadiums is safe; the numbers speak for themselves. However, they understand that policymakers are also under pressure due to the large number of officials required to attend the matches.
The three clubs write: “These issues were discussed in depth within the Federal-State Open Working Group (BLoAG) between the DFB, DFL, interior ministries, and police authorities. For us, one thing is clear: stadium bans must be based solely on verifiable facts. They are subject to the principle of proportionality; the rights of those affected must be safeguarded. There must be no automatic rule that mere initial suspicion alone results in a stadium ban.”
In general, the three clubs oppose collective punishment and appeal to policymakers to find solutions together. Ultimately, safety must be ensured, but the “unique fan culture” must be preserved.
The full text of the statement
Joint statement by North Rhine-Westphalian soccer clubs on the current debate regarding stadium safety and the deliberations of the Conference of Interior Ministers.
The soccer clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia are following the nationwide discussion on stadium safety, fan culture, and possible new measures by the Conference of Interior Ministers (IMK) with great attention. For the signatories of this statement, one thing is clear: The vibrant and diverse fan culture is an essential part of our clubs and our shared soccer tradition. At the same time, the safety of all stadium visitors is our top priority. Both aspects go hand in hand and must not be pitted against one another.
In the run-up to the IMK, we are already in close communication with political leaders—particularly at the state level. Likewise, the NRW clubs are coordinating closely with one another, with the associations, and with the relevant bodies of German soccer. Our central concern is to keep the discussion objective.
For we are convinced: Only a continuous, fact-based dialogue can strike a balance between high security and a vibrant fan culture.
The current debate is taking place even though the stadium experience in Germany is demonstrably safe—as evidenced by figures from the Central Information Office for Sports Operations (ZIS). At the same time, we acknowledge that the high deployment of police resources poses challenges for policymakers. However, the measures currently under discussion go far beyond what is necessary and would deeply interfere with fan culture, club autonomy, and the rights of visitors.
These issues were discussed in depth within the Federal-State Open Working Group (BLoAG) between the DFB, the DFL, interior ministries, and police authorities. For us, one thing is clear: stadium bans must be based solely on verifiable facts. They are subject to the principle of proportionality, and the rights of those affected must be safeguarded. There must be no automatic mechanism whereby mere initial suspicion alone results in a stadium ban.
Furthermore: stadium safety is a local responsibility. Every venue bears a special responsibility toward its own fans, the local community, and soccer as a whole.
We view the agreed-upon strengthening of clubs’ safety and prevention efforts positively. This begins where security actually takes shape: in the coordinated cooperation of all local partners.
We expressly oppose blanket and collective restrictions—such as comprehensive ticket personalization, curtailing the work of local stadium ban commissions, or general infringements on the rights of visiting fans. Instead, we rely on evidence-based, differentiated measures and on trusting cooperation between clubs, fan projects, fan communities, authorities, and associations. Only in this way can prevention, effectiveness, and acceptance be achieved in equal measure.
We call on political decision-makers to shape this path together with us. Developments in recent years clearly show that objectivity, prevention, and local responsibility yield more sustainable results than blanket tightening of regulations. The goal of all parties involved must be to further strengthen security while preserving the unique fan culture that has shaped German soccer for decades.
We will accompany the ongoing process of the Conference of Interior Ministers constructively, critically, and resolutely—with the clear aim of reconciling safety and fan culture and conducting the debate on a factual basis.
1. FC Köln
Schalke 04
VfL Bochum