TSG Hoffenheim for Respect, Tolerance and Fairness

To all clubs in both the 1. and 2. Bundesliga, to the German Football Association, the German football league and all football fans in Germany.

 

We were deeply shaken by the abuse and hostility directed at Dietmar Hopp during our home match on Saturday against Borussia Dortmund. We condemn this behaviour to the fullest extent.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim has always stood for tolerance, respect and fairness. We take on responsibility and make a difference for youth, education and sport, from our region all the way to Africa. We work together to counter hate and discrimination.

The foundation for our actions is the mutual value system of the game of football. These values are shared by all football players and clubs - from Sunday league level to the Bundesliga, by Borussia Dortmund and its fans as well as TSG Hoffenheim and its fans. Yesterday, all those who were flagrant in their hate and abuse, all those who went as far as to publicly make death threats, all those who clearly broke the law  - those people did not represent the values of football. This kind of conduct must be decisively opposed by all those involved in football: clubs, associations, management, players and fans.

A stance must be taken, integrity must be shown. We would like to make an appeal to all those involved in football: we must uphold a fundamental sense of respect, tolerance and fairness in order to strengthen and maintain our peaceful coexistence.

Zuzenhausen, 23 September 2018

Dr. Peter Görlich, Frank Briel

Managing Directors, TSG Hoffenheim