New prices please! Borussia Dortmund fans throw balls onto pitch in protest

    By Tom Sweetman, CNN

    Updated 1408 GMT (2208 HKT) February 10, 2016

    Borussia Dortmund players turned ball boys in the first half of their German Cup quarterfinal clash against Stuttgart Tuesday, after hundreds of fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch in protest at high ticket prices.
    Photos: Ticket price protests
    Borussia Dortmund players turned ball boys in the first half of their German Cup quarterfinal clash against Stuttgart Tuesday, after hundreds of fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch in protest at high ticket prices.
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    German football is known for being among the most affordable in Europe. However, the Dortmund fans' frustration stemmed from a quarter of away tickets being priced at €70 ($78.80) and the cheapest seats costing €38.50 ($43.40).
    Photos: Ticket price protests
    German football is known for being among the most affordable in Europe. However, the Dortmund fans' frustration stemmed from a quarter of away tickets being priced at €70 ($78.80) and the cheapest seats costing €38.50 ($43.40).
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    The fans also boycotted the first 20 minutes of the match and began raining tennis balls onto the pitch seven minutes later.
    Photos: Ticket price protests
    The fans also boycotted the first 20 minutes of the match and began raining tennis balls onto the pitch seven minutes later.
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    A banner unfurled at the start of the match read: "Football must be affordable."
    Photos: Ticket price protests
    A banner unfurled at the start of the match read: "Football must be affordable."
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    Last season's beaten finalist Dortmund progressed to the semifinals of the German Cup with a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Marco Reus, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrik Mkhitaryan.
    Photos: Ticket price protests
    Last season's beaten finalist Dortmund progressed to the semifinals of the German Cup with a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Marco Reus, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrik Mkhitaryan.
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    The two teams also held a minute's silence prior to kick-off in memory of those who lost their lives in Tuesday's train crash in Bavaria.
    Photos: Ticket price protests
    The two teams also held a minute's silence prior to kick-off in memory of those who lost their lives in Tuesday's train crash in Bavaria.
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    It wasn't the first time this week fans have protested against increased ticket prices. Thousands of Liverpool fans staged a walkout in the 77th minute of the team's Premier League tie against Sunderland Saturday.
    Photos: Ticket price protests
    It wasn't the first time this week fans have protested against increased ticket prices. Thousands of Liverpool fans staged a walkout in the 77th minute of the team's Premier League tie against Sunderland Saturday.
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    This was in protest against the recent announcement that match day tickets would increase to £77 ($111.80) and that Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owners, have introduced the first ever £1000 ($1450.10) season ticket.
    Photos: Ticket price protests
    This was in protest against the recent announcement that match day tickets would increase to £77 ($111.80) and that Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owners, have introduced the first ever £1000 ($1450.10) season ticket.
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    An estimated 10,000 are believed to have left early and Liverpool fans are planning two further walkouts for the next two home Premier League matches against Manchester City and Chelsea.
    Photos: Ticket price protests
    An estimated 10,000 are believed to have left early and Liverpool fans are planning two further walkouts for the next two home Premier League matches against Manchester City and Chelsea.
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    Dortmund football protestDortmund football protestDortmund football protestDortmund football protestDortmund football protest Reus AubameyangDortmund football minute silenceLiverpool football protestLiverpool football protestLiverpool football protest

    Story highlights

    • Dortmund fans stage protest against rising ticket prices