‘Why are they destroying this?’: the battle for Germany’s Fanprojekte

In Germany Fanprojekte play a crucial social-work role with football fans but a court case in Karlsruhe is threatening their existence

In a section of woodland next to Wildparkstadion, this winter’s festivities are in full swing. It is a cold, crackling December day and Karlsruhe’s ultras have set up their version of a Christmas market. Warm glühwein may be the best bet in conditions such as these but one of their number has also brought a portable outpost of the brewery that he runs.

Further along, children are served pancakes; anyone needing to augment their colours before the match against second-tier promotion rivals Hamburg can buy scarves or hats. The game is important but the proceeds from these stalls, which will go to local organisations supporting refugees, will outlive any football result.

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