Hoffenheim respond to accusations of using high-frequency sound

Yesterday an employee of the club, in response to the reaction of the media, admitted to having used unauthorised apparatus during the game on Saturday. According to a statement, the employee wanted to ‘remedy the intolerable insults' being sung about Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp. He went on to say that he wasn't aware of the consequences of his actions and had intended that his stunt be taken in an humorous way. TSG 1899 took the relevant disciplinary action against him as punishment, and, according to reports, criminal charges were also brought against him from Heidelberg police.

Neither the management of the club, President Norbert Hofmann nor Mr Hopp himself knew of the existence and use of the replacement sound system. All club officials distance themselves unreservedly from this act and apologise to fans whose experience of the match was adversely affected. Should this actually result in some cases in damage to spectators' health, the club also apologises expressly. The management of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim will take the necessary steps to ensure that such a situation does not happen again.