On the terraces: Crossword puzzles in Stuttgart, ‘Fortuna for all’ in Düsseldorf, Union ultras take aim at Bayern, and a new police commissioner.

In a new weekly Newsletter, Matt Ford will be keeping an eye on the action off the pitch in the Bundesliga and German football, from fan protests to finances.

Criticism of RB Leipzig is hardly new in German football these days, but the method used by VfB Stuttgart supporters this weekend certainly was, and will have at least given the travelling fans something to do on the journey home from a 5-2 defeat. Meanwhile in the 2. Bundesliga, Fortuna Düsseldorf welcomed St. Pauli for the second free game in their “Fortuna for all” initiative, while there was good news for match-going fans across the country as Germany’s parliament voted to establish a new independent police commissioner. Finally, a war of words has erupted between Union Berlin and Bayern Munich ultras over investors, the GDR and the Stasi … It’s been a busy one.

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This is Matt Ford’s third “On the terraces” newsletter. The first newsletter for Gegenpressing was made available for all subscribers two weeks ago, so readers can get a good idea of what he’ll be covering in German football this year. If you like what you see, please consider taking out a paid subscription.