DFL initially continues transmissions

The German Football League (DFL) initially wants to work with the Russian media company despite the cancellation of the broadcast of the Bundesliga game between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig match tv keep working “The DFL is currently still relying on the possibility of reaching people in Russia with messages of peace from the stadiums. At the same time, of course, we are closely monitoring whether and to what extent this possibility is still available,” said the DFL on request.

Last Saturday’s broadcast in Russia had already been canceled during the first half due to pro-Ukrainian messages in the stadium. “It is known that the DFL will not benefit from the partnership with Match TV in the current situation and will donate the income that is still outstanding from the partnership this season to humanitarian aid,” added the DFL.

In the past matchdays, appeals for peace from the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 stadiums were present to the Russian population through live and time-delayed broadcasts, it said: “Numerous games were shown in full length. At the same time, we took note that it – to the point of aborting the transmission after anti-war messages – there were also massive restrictions in some cases.”

The DFL had already announced in March, initially on an extraordinary termination of the contract match tv so that the “anti-war calls and appeals for peace from the German stadiums can continue to reach the Russian population”.

As a prerequisite, however, the DFL had stated that the basic signal provided would be sent unchanged – including Ukraine-related messages from the league, players, clubs and fans.