As mass protests erupted across Germany against the growing far-right movement, many football clubs encouraged their fans to join the demonstrations.
However, Alemannia Aachen, a fourth-division German football club, took a different stance. Their social media post stated, “We are unequivocally against all forms of hate, incitement, and extremism,” but also mentioned the club’s decision not to participate in demonstrations that “divide society.”
Following backlash, the club apologized for the “poorly worded” statement and committed to an internal review. Nevertheless, right-wing social media, including accounts associated with the far-right, populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, praised the post.
Aachen later disassociated itself from the AfD and rejected any attempts to use its name to support the party’s agenda.
Far-right influence at matches
Alemannia Aachen is under scrutiny as experts suspect that the club’s fan base harbors a strong far-right extremist element, with some violent supporters using games to recruit new members.
Research by the left-wing platform “Rechercheplattform zur Identitären Bewegung,” which investigates connections between German institutions and the far right, revealed that Alemannia officials appeared in Instagram posts of right-wing organized supporters, linked to their charity efforts. Additionally, German public broadcaster WDR reported similar findings.
Despite these concerns, the club has demonstrated its commitment to democratic values, such as honoring Alemannia’s Jewish footballers who were murdered in the Holocaust.
However, sources familiar with the situation told DW that such actions are unlikely to deter the club’s far-right-leaning fans, who continue to hold significant influence within the organized support.
“Two years ago, a notorious right-wing hooligan group called Boxstaffel 520 was established, and they have since formed networks within the fan structures,” the sources revealed, speaking anonymously for their protection. They also noted that the club’s leadership had been seen in social media posts shared by a member of this hooligan group.
