DFB impose five-figure fine on Bayern Munich for “unsportsmanlike conduct”

German football’s governing body has slapped the Bundesliga champions with a hefty fine.

Bayern have been fined €20,000 by the DFB and the reason is not down to the use of pyrotechnics and had no sporting connection.

A month after Lorenz A., a 21-year-old black man, was shot dead by a police officer in Oldenburg, Bayern fans criticized the handling of the case with a banner against Mainz:

“Racist murderous cops investigate racist murderous cops?! Justice for Lorenz!”

The message presumably referred to the fact that the neighboring police in Delmenhorst had taken over the investigation, where Qosay Khalaf died in police custody in 2021. 

The DFB Sports Court considered the banner to be “unsportsmanlike conduct,” going “beyond what is permissible and acceptable.”

The inscription constituted “an inadmissible derogatory statement against the police” and “generally and categorically describes them—at least the personnel in the Lorenz A. case—as racist and labels them b*stards.”

The Bavarian giants have the chance to appeal the ruling within 24 hours, should they choose to do so.