FC Köln-fans demand: Stop the stop at the Geißbockheim expansion!

Rund 200 FC-Fans demonstrieren am Kölner Rathaus für den Geißbockheim-Ausbau, während politische Diskussionen weitergehen.
Around 200 FC fans demonstrate at the Cologne town hall for the Geißbockheim expansion, while political discussions continue. (Symbolbild/MK)

FC Köln-fans demand: Stop the stop at the Geißbockheim expansion!

Lindenthal, Deutschland - On July 3, 2025, around 200 passionate fans of the 1st FC Köln gathered in front of the Cologne town hall to demonstrate for the expansion of the Geißbockheim and the construction of three new football fields on the Gleueler Wiese. This protest was launched by the board of the association in order to draw attention to political developments around the planned performance center. The demonstration remained peaceful, which was also thanks to the presence of about 30 police officers who were on site to monitor the meeting, as https://www.ksta.de/koeln/lindenthal/polener-roelner-roelner-fans-fans-geissbock-Ausbau-1057692) reported.

Since 2014, FC Köln has been planning the expansion of its Geißbockheim to build a modern performance center. The Gleueler Wiese, where the new places are to be created, is one of the areas that belong to the city and are leased by FC. But here there is resistance: conservationists and the Greens are critical of the development. The city council recently discussed the topic. The CDU's decision is particularly explosive to withdraw an application that should guarantee the protection of the Gleueler Wiese. CDU parliamentary group leader Bernd Petelkau cited concerns about the efficiency of the city administration as the reason for the U-turn. These turns throw a light on the confused interaction of political objectives and the interests of FC.

political backgrounds and conflicts

The protest has followed the difficult progress in the past few months. The topic was so explosive that the Council group Klima made friends & well submitted an application to lease the Gleueler Wiese for 30 years to the environmental protection organization Bund and prohibit any development. This met with broad support from the CDU and the Greens, although they had previously signaled to support FC. Such political twists lead to a feeling of breach of trust, as the FC urgently emphasizes. The association is faced with growing pressure, while the political actuators have adjusted before the local elections on September 14, 2025.

At the last meeting before the election, there was also a violent discussion about the applications for the protection of the Gleueler Wiese. Mayor Henriette Reker made it clear that the protection of the green belt was a top priority, which was criticized by the Green Group leader Christiane Martin Scharf. The question arose in the room whether the CDU's approach is only a tactical maneuver. A legal assessment also showed that both the rejection and the consent to the applications pose legal risks, which makes the situation more complicated.

The future of 1st FC Köln and the municipal policy

With a possible legal proceedings that clarifies the effectiveness of a development plan of 2020, the future of the Geißbockheim and the Gleueler Wiese remains uncertain. FC hopes for a political turn of the election that may bring a re -evaluation of the situation. The highly emotional atmosphere around football and its political dimension, which is also visible in the context of great sporting events, also remains present. Sport is more than just a game; He is also a power game that has far-reaching social and political implications, such as [bpb.

The tension in Cologne remains high. Fans are still asked to support their club-be it by participating in protests or simply by wearing the FC jersey. It remains to be seen how the local political decisions will affect the football scene in the cathedral city.

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OrtLindenthal, Deutschland
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