According to Pyro scandal, Cottbus has to pay 42,000 euros-fans in rage!

According to Pyro scandal, Cottbus has to pay 42,000 euros-fans in rage!

Cottbus, Deutschland - The football world in Germany once again shows its exciting and controversial facets. On July 9, 2025, FC Energie Cottbus was finished by the DFB Sports Court with a fine of 42,000 euros. The reason for this juicy punishment is serious fan incidents at the away game against Hansa Rostock on May 10, in which the audience lit at least 120 pyrotechnic objects, including around 75 Bengal torches in the second half. According to nordkurier.de, the court provides for a proper penalty of 350 euros per pyrotechnic object, which quickly sums up.

What a shame that the sporting result of 3-1 for Cottbus, which hopefully had the club cheered, will be overshadowed by this message. The DFB allows the association to invest 14,000 euros of the punishment in its own security and violence prevention measures. The Cottbusers have the opportunity to cover part of the punishment sensibly to improve fan work or the stadium infrastructure. The judgment has been final since its publication on Tuesday. By July 10, Cottbus has the time to officially agree to the judgment, which is of great importance for the association to avoid further legal consequences.

pyrotechnics in football: a double -edged sword

The use of pyrotechnics has caused a lot of conversation in recent years. Again and again the symbolic meaning of pyrotechnic means for fans is discussed. The perspective of the supporters that these means are an expression of their support and identity is contrasting to the strict attitude of the DFB, pyrotechnics classify as an administrative offense and often as a criminal offense. The debate on this topic is also reflected in a report on [rbb24.de] (https://www.rbb24.de/sport/biebtrag/2025/03/fussball-bundliga- Regionalliga-Stadion-kommerz-fankultur-ultras-pyrotechnik-strafen-protest-pyro.html)

It is particularly noticeable that the number of fines has increased due to pyrotechnics. While in the 2018/2019 season, over 3 million euros were due, this sum is already over 11 million euros in the 2023/2024 season. A clear indication that the problems are no less, but rather increase. The suggestion of the fans that these punishments are rather symptomatic of the balance of power in German football shows the hardened fronts between fan groups and the football establishment.

ways out of the crisis?

The DFB sees itself under pressure, especially with the increased demand for safer operating conditions for pyrotechnics. In a position paper from the NOFV, fan representatives call for the abolition of association penalties for non-abused pyrotechnics use. The movement for a partialization of pyrotechnics, which is supported from different sides, such as fan researchers, could give football a new face. A consideration that will probably continue to haunted in the minds of the decision -makers in the next few years.

Overall, the current situation for both Cottbus and for the entire football landscape in Germany is extremely explosive. The discussion about pyrotechnics and fan behavior will accompany us for a long time, whereby the clubs and their supporters urgently need to search for solutions that meet both the security requirements and the needs of the fans. It's a shame that punishments like that of Cottbus are often necessary to initiate this debate.

For further information on the background of the punishment and the incidents in Cottbus, take a look at radiocottbus.de.