Hamburg Considers Funding Model for Policing Football Games

Hamburg is contemplating a new funding model to have professional football clubs contribute to the costs of police services during Bundesliga matches. The proposed model seeks to involve clubs like FC St. Pauli and Hamburger SV in covering these expenses. This initiative is closely tied to an upcoming decision by the Federal Constitutional Court regarding Bremen's existing fee structure for police costs, which has already led to a legal dispute involving Werder Bremen and the German Football League (DFL).

Across Germany, policing football matches requires significant resources. In 2022 alone, 1.6 million working hours were dedicated to ensuring safety at first and second-division games, equating to the efforts of 1,238 full-time police officers. This heavy demand on police resources has spurred calls for a nationwide fund to manage these costs more effectively. Both Bremen's Interior Senator Ulrich Mäurer and Hamburg's Taxpayers Association support these efforts, highlighting the need for clubs to bear some responsibility.

The Hamburg Senate plans to consult with various stakeholders, including football clubs, the DFL, the German Football Association (DFB), and federal police agencies. These discussions will address not only funding but also broader issues such as security, racism, and violence in stadiums. As these talks progress, the outcome of the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling will be pivotal in shaping the future of police funding for football matches in Hamburg and potentially across Germany.