Hans-Joachim Watzke and the BVB ultras: the Dortmund chief likes to present himself as a leading critic of investor-driven models in professional football, even though he himself runs the only football club in Germany listed on the stock exchange. He has never had many kind words for Hoffe either. At Dortmund’s annual general meeting in November 2009, he complained that it was not fair for clubs like Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim to suck the cream out of the system while the big clubs generated the TV demand.
Dortmund ultras took that resentment further. In autumn 2008 they unveiled a banner showing Hopp’s face in a crosshair with the words “Hasta la vista, Hopp!” The sporting court announced punishments, including partial stadium closures and fines, for clubs whose fans threatened Hopp. In Dortmund’s case, it did not stop the abuse.
After renewed insults, away bans in Sinsheim were discussed. During Dortmund’s 2–1 loss there on 20 December 2019, away fans once again displayed insulting banners and abused Hopp with chants. It was exactly the kind of repeat offence the DFB had warned about in 2018.