Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - The fine of 15,000 euros against the Bundesliga soccer club VfB Stuttgart is still valid. The DFB sports court rejected VfB's appeal against the penalty, as the Swabians confirmed on Thursday. After the last-minute relegation against 1. FC Köln on matchday 34 of last season, VfB fans stormed onto the pitch. The judgment cannot be appealed any further.
"We have explained why punishment for the emotions on May 14 is inappropriate from VfB's point of view," said Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle. "From our point of view, it is a pity that the DFB sports courts feel bound by a fundamental view that links entering the stadium interior per se to a penalty for the home club - regardless of the specific situation. But we have to accept the verdict and look ahead."
