Dietmar Hopp: Hoffenheim criticism is unjust, Dortmund are purely commercial!
Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp has fired back at Borussia Dortmund fans, claiming BVB are "purely commercial".
Hopp has long been criticised by supporters of leading Bundesliga clubs like Dortmund and Bayern Munich due to his financing of Hoffenheim.
This season's fixture between Hoffenheim and Bayern had to be halted due to protests from the visiting Bavarian supporters, before the teams deliberately passed the ball to each other to play out the final minutes.
The 80-year-old billionaire has suggested concerns within German football should instead focus on Dortmund and big-spending Hertha Berlin.
"It's still a story that hurts me because it's unjust and because I still can't imagine how to construct something like that," he told Sport1.
"We at TSG are a club that cannot be called a commercial association.
"Let's take a look at Borussia Dortmund, which has become purely commercial.
"Or let's look at Berlin; there are many millions in circulation. I'm happy for the development at Hertha, but I can't understand that I'm also being attacked by their fans."
Hoffenheim thrashed Dortmund 4-0 at an empty Signal Iduna Park on the final day of the Bundesliga season.
"It is an unbelievable feeling. 4 goals and 6th place. I am speechless and so proud."
— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@achtzehn99_en) June 27, 2020
Andrej "Man of the Match" #Kramaric #LeTSGo #TSG pic.twitter.com/Dm22W7tFs7
Despite his unpopular status, Hopp is eager for the return of spectators following the coronavirus pandemic.
"I'm just sorry that the fans are no longer allowed in the stadium," he said.
"There are only a few people who insult me, which is not that important by comparison. It would be more important that normality in football finally returns."