Bayern Munich continued their title charge with a 6-0 demolition of Hoffenheim to extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga, but there were farcical scenes late in the second half when the game was temporarily suspended.
With the contest between the two teams effectively over, Bayern supporters in the away end unfurled an offensive banner and began chanting insults aimed at Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp.
The referee took action and decided to halt the game with less than 15 minutes remaining and the players left the pitch. During the stoppage Bayern manager Hansi Flick and a number of club directors, including former goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, went to remonstrate with the Bayern fans to so that the game could re-start.
Bayern Munich fans call Dietmar Hopp a “son of a bitch.”
Hansi Flick goes over immediately to tell the fans to remove the sign. #TSGFCB pic.twitter.com/a8t1bQJC33— Davis VanOpdorp (@Davis_VanOpdorp) February 29, 2020
When the players eventually returned to the pitch after several minutes, both sets of players re-started the game by casually passing the ball between teams to run the clock down in protest against the fans' behaviour.
The fact that the game was dead at 6-0 certainly made the players' decision a bit easier, but this was still a surreal thing to see taking place on a football pitch, particularly in an official league match at this level.
The decision to come out and kick the ball about was a joint decision between #TSG, #FCBayern players and coaches. #TSGFCB
— Davis VanOpdorp (@Davis_VanOpdorp) February 29, 2020
Bayern fans unveiled a banner insulting Hoffenheim investor Dietmar Hopp.
In protest, the teams spent the final 10 minutes of the match passing to each other and ended the game with a show of support for Hopp.
(via @btsportfootball) pic.twitter.com/cxtNViKg44— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 29, 2020
Result: 0-6.
The sporting success of #TSGFCB is of secondary importance, however. Due to hateful banners targeting Dietmar Hopp in the FC Bayern fan block, the game was suspended. After returning to the pitch, the teams ran down the clock by passing the ball amongst themselves. pic.twitter.com/GUonicjf5F— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) February 29, 2020
Hoffenheim owner Hopp is a German billionaire with a background in software and the antipathy towards him from Bayern supporters is believed to be based on the large financial investments he has made to help the club climb up the German football ladder.
Bayern Munich supporters are not the only set of away fans who have made their feelings towards Hopp known. Borussia Dortmund supporters are currently serving a two-year ban from attending matches at Hoffenheim having been sanctioned for offensive chanting against the owner.
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