Almost half of the German football fans oppose a strategic partner for the German Football League (DFL) and more than 50% consider the ongoing protests against such an investor appropriate, according to a survey published on Wednesday.
Sports marketing agency One8y asked 1,006 football interested Germans February 18 and 19 about the controversial issue which has dominated headlines lately.
In the survey, 46% said they oppose an investor, 33% were in favour of an external partner, and the others either had no opinion or did not want to disclose it.
Looking at the fan protests which have led to interruptions of numerous Bundesliga and second division games, 17% considered them "definitely" appropriate and 35% "rather" appropriate. Another 37% were opposed to the protests in which objects are thrown onto the pitch.
The DFL wants to boost marketing capabilities in a billion-euro ($1.08 billion) deal over a maximum 20 years with the investor deal.
The 36 DFL clubs just reached the necessary two-thirds majority in December, and there is speculation the 24 votes were only reached because Hanover managing director and majority share holder Martin Kind voted against club orders and in favour.
Fans meanwhile feel profit will be put before them and tradition and want at least a new vote. Several clubs have also called for a new and transparent vote.
Fans have mainly thrown tennis balls onto the pitches during matches, and clubs face sanctions over the interruptions from the German Football Federation.
A DFB spokesman told dpa that the sanctions will largely depend on how long a game is interrupted.
He said that inlike uncidents with fireworks the amount of "tennis balls, candies or anything else" plays no role.
Bundesliga club Bochum have said they will donate the collected tennis balls to a local school and a club project, and Wolfsburg are planning to pass them on to kindergardens in the area.
However, some footballers have also found use for the tennis balls thrown onto the pitches.
"I am a passionate padel tennis player and can use the odd ball well," Bochum's Maxilimian Wittek told the Bild paper.
Union Berlin's Robin Knoche said: "I need a few tennis balls, I just take them with me."
