This incident started on Sunday (27/8/17), the match against
Schalke04 was held at the AWD-Arena Stadium which was packed because of the
presence of Hannover 96 fans who were very loyal to support wherever the club
competed.
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| Hannover 96 Supporters, image : The Guardian |
In this match, Hannover played very well throughout the
match. The goal scored by Jonathas de Jesus in the 67th minute, led Hannover to
win the match with a score of 1-0.
But there was no celebration or euphoria from supporters
over Hannover’s victory. On the contrary, the supporters protested and shouted
curse words and unfurled banners expressing their disappointment with the
club’s management.
Until the words came out: “The first match at home
actually felt like an away match,” said the coach, Andre Breitenreiter.
The supporters’ protest was directed at the club management,
especially the President of the Hannover 96 club, Martin Kind. The supporters’
anger stems from a decision issued by the club’s Supervisory Board, which at
that time decided to divest 51% of its shares in early August 2017.
The act of divesting shares allowed Martin Kind to take full
control of the club, by asking the German football federation for dispensation
not to follow the 50+1 rule.
The 50+1 rule is a rule that states that one person or
entity is not allowed to control more than 49% of the shares in a club. This
aims to prevent the sale of majority shares to outside investors, protect the
club from irresponsible owners, and to maintain the democratic values of
German clubs whose ownership is controlled by supporters.
Meanwhile, what happened at Hannover 96 was the opposite. As
the release of the 51% stake was carried out by the club’s Supervisory Board,
Martin Kind submitted an application to the German football federation to be
granted an exemption from the 50+1 rule in order to be able to control the
majority of the club’s shares. This is what Hannover 96 supporters oppose.
Those who protested Kind’s move, formed a group called
“Pro Verein 1896”. Apart from criticizing Kind through the banners
and shouts they unfurled in the stadium, banners reading “Kind must
go!”, “Democracy>Monarchy”, and “There is no good
without participation” were installed and stretched widely in the corners
of the AWD-Arena during the match.
Pro Verein 1896 also fought by taking firm action to report
the incident to the regional court, but the court rejected their report.
Even though it was rejected by the regional court, Pro
Verein 1896 would never give up easily. They are still trying to prevent Kind’s
steps.
What Hannover 96 supporters are trying to prevent Martin
Kind from taking complete control of the club reflects their great love for
Hannover 96.
This is something that must be remembered as proof of the
supporters’ love for Hannover 96, considering that when this club was first
formed, the people of Hannover were not very interested in football. Their
greatest interest is in athletics.