Despite growing popularity German league is Breaking Bad.
Despite the ever growing success story for the Bundesliga on the field, a German doctor has claimed there is an underlying and worsening problem of crystal meth abuse in the country’s top flight.
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A report in the Independent claims that the highly addictive drug is becoming an ever more problematic issue for authorities with some of the more hardcore fans of Bundesliga sides, the ultras, using the substance as a way to wind themselves up and prepare for violent clashes with rival supporters.
Dr Roland Hartel Petri told German newspapers Welt in December: “Alcohol remains the main issue, but crystal meth is far from something which only appears as a one-off.
“The DFL (German Football League) is beginning to accept that.”
Dr Petri also said the substance was being used as a way for fans to enter stadiums under the influence rather than smuggling in alcohol or buying it on the terraces.
The issue has been widely ignored by the German authorities with chief executive of the DFL, Christian Seifert, choosing to praise the rising revenues and ticket sales for the Bundesliga in a recent speech rather than address a potential public health issue.
However, this hasn’t prevented a number of fans from addressing the issue themselves.
Dynamo Dresden fans, for example, held up a banner when playing FC Koln last season which read: “Don’t meth with Cologne? We’ll blow you away”
Whilst Borussia Dortmund fans has signs in March which said: “Not enough money for cocaine, Nuremberg? Why else the dirty Czech muck?”
Clubs such as Nuremberg and Dresden are two of the worst hit as they are closest the Czech border where the drug is sold at the lowest rates.
However, despite these clear criticisms, the problem remains a prevalent issue.