DFB shifts police‑cost burden onto clubs after fundamental decision

The German Football Association (DFB) announced on 11 September 2026 that it will forward any police‑cost invoices for high‑risk matches to the clubs that hold home rights, a fundamental policy shift that places the financial burden directly on the hosts.

DFB's new cost‑recovery policy

The presidium adopted a "fundamental decision" on Friday, authorising the association to pass on police‑cost fees to the relevant clubs. President Bernd Neuendorf was quoted as saying, "If the DFB receives fee notices for police costs, we will pass the costs on to the respective clubs," underscoring the procedural change.

Neuendorf added that the fee‑collection approach is "still the wrong one," arguing that a cooperative partnership with police and politicians would better improve on‑site safety. The DFB justified the move by citing a duty of asset‑management that obliges it to recover such expenses.

Club and political backlash

Clubs, especially those in the 3. Liga and regional leagues, warned that the new charges could be existentially threatening, echoing a May statement that such fees might interfere with competition. Currently only Bremen receives reimbursement for high‑risk Bundesliga games, a situation tied to a legal dispute that the Federal Constitutional Court ruled on.

Rheinland‑Palatine Interior Minister Achim Schwickert, after a massive police deployment at a DFB‑Cup match, said, "It is not our aim to claim these costs," and called for a nationwide solution rather than isolated regional rules.

Other states, including Saarland, are contemplating similar regulations, while the DFL no longer feels pressure to change its stance. The contrast between the DFB’s fiscal rationale and the clubs’ financial vulnerability highlights an ongoing debate about how best to fund police presence at football events.