Dortmund fans threw fake money and gold bars onto the pitch to mock the European Football Federation, when they defeated Newcastle 2-0 in the fourth round of Group F of the Champions League.
At the start of the second half, two banners were displayed in the stands of Signal Iduna Park. The top one was a protest against the new format of the Champions League from the 2024-2025 season. The bottom one read: "You don't care about this sport , you only care about money."
Dortmund fans' banner, protesting the new format of the Champions League, with the caption criticizing them for caring about money and ignoring football. Photo: ESPN
In the 48th minute, Dortmund fans threw hundreds of fake gold bars and money onto the pitch. It took more than a minute of delay to clear the objects before the referee allowed the match to continue. However, the amount of fake money was too much, scattered all over the pitch, until the end of the match.
UEFA's homepage, when reporting the match, did not mention the banners and strange actions of Dortmund's audience.
Dortmund goalkeeper had to pick up fake money and gold off the field so the match could resume soon. Photo: Sportskeeda
The 2024-25 Champions League will add four more spots, bringing the total to 36 teams. The number of matches will increase even more, from 125 to 189, a 51% increase. This will help UEFA generate more revenue, and teams will also be rewarded with more money. The downside is that players will have to play more matches.
On TNT Sports and the Guardian , British commentators said that Dortmund fans also targeted Newcastle's owners through the above message. Newcastle is currently the club with the richest owner in the world , the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) with assets of more than 400 billion USD.
Signal Iduna Park has a capacity of over 81,000 spectators, and is regularly packed for Dortmund matches. The team's fans are also considered passionate, with over 20,000 standing and cheering continuously throughout each match. Dortmund's owners are 100% official members of the team.
Joelinton (No. 7) missed a chance against Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany in the fourth round of Group F of the Champions League on the evening of November 7, 2023. Photo: PA
Dortmund's enthusiasm was rewarded as they beat Newcastle 2-0, thanks to goals from striker Niclas Fullkrug and midfielder Julian Brandt. The result moved Dortmund closer to progressing with seven points, while Newcastle were in danger of being eliminated with just four points.
In the final two matches, Dortmund will visit Milan, then host PSG. Newcastle will visit Paris, then host Milan at St James Park.
Hoang An
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