NIKO KOVAČ DEMANDS INVESTIGATION AFTER TOTTENHAM SUPPORTERS’ ‘EXTRA-MINUTE’ CHANT DURING DORTMUND’S 2–0 DEFEAT
Niko Kovač Urges Review After ‘Extra-Minute’ Chant Following Dortmund’s 2–0 Defeat at Spurs
Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač has called on authorities to investigate a contentious chant heard from sections of the Tottenham Hotspur crowd during his side’s 2–0 loss, as an already tough evening in North London ended amid rising tension.
Dortmund arrived hoping to breathe life into their European campaign but departed with a damaging result and lingering irritation. Spurs scored once in each half to take control, yet the main talking point surfaced late and lingered beyond the final whistle.
In stoppage time, a chant referencing “extra minutes” echoed around the stadium—something Kovač believes crossed the line of acceptable fan behaviour. While acknowledging Tottenham’s superiority on the night, he argued the tone and implication of the chant warranted scrutiny. Broadcast microphones picked it up clearly, and it appeared to allude to past refereeing controversies involving Dortmund, a particularly sensitive topic for the club.
The response was immediate. Several Dortmund players turned toward the stands as the chanting grew louder, while the bench reacted angrily, prompting stewards to step in as tempers flared.
On the pitch, the contest was intense throughout. Tottenham’s aggressive press disrupted Dortmund early and led to the opener, with a second goal later sealing the result. As frustration mounted, Dortmund’s rhythm suffered, with late challenges and confrontations breaking up play.
Kovač praised Spurs’ energy and quality but emphasised the importance of respect. “Noise and rivalry are part of football,” he said. “But when chants are designed to provoke and touch on sensitive issues, there has to be accountability.”
He confirmed Dortmund would submit an official report under UEFA’s crowd conduct rules. While stopping short of demanding punishment, Kovač insisted the incident should be examined to prevent a repeat.
Tottenham, meanwhile, kept the focus on their performance. Their manager highlighted organisation, defensive strength and clinical finishing, declining to comment on the chant and stressing that crowd behaviour was not his responsibility.
Online Reaction
Social media reaction was swift and split. Many Dortmund fans supported Kovač, arguing the chant went too far, while Spurs supporters dismissed it as harmless banter typical of high-stakes matches. Pundits were similarly divided, with some defending fan expression and others warning that normalising provocative chants risks lowering standards.
For Dortmund, the loss complicates their European prospects, but Kovač believes addressing off-field issues matters just as much as fixing problems on the pitch. “If football is to move forward, everyone has a role,” he said. “Players, coaches, officials and fans. Silence helps no one.”
As UEFA considers the report and debate continues, a match decided by goals may ultimately be remembered for a chant that could have implications beyond the scoreline.