Wednesday, December 17, 2025

HSV and “Empty Stands” Raise Awareness for ME/CFS During Home Match Against Stuttgart

During the recent home match against VfB Stuttgart, HSV sent a strong message for solidarity, visibility and social responsibility. The club dedicated the matchday to ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), drawing attention to the lives of more than 650,000 people affected in Germany – many of whom are frequently excluded from public life due to their illness.

From the moment the stadium opened, the Ankerplatz area became a focal point. A stadium seat was installed where fans and people affected by ME/CFS could leave personal messages. This seat will remain permanently and goes far beyond being a symbolic gesture. It was deliberately created as a tool to identify needs, collect experiences and better understand what kind of support affected individuals require within the HSV environment. The feedback gathered will help derive future measures aimed at improving participation and inclusion.

At the same time, an information stand in the western part of the stadium provided education about ME/CFS. Representatives from the “Empty Stands” initiative answered questions, distributed informational materials and collected donations for urgently needed research.

A particularly emotional moment followed shortly before kick-off. HSV captain Nicolas Capaldo entered the pitch without a mascot. Instead, he carried a pair of football boots – representing all those fans who remain unseen because they can no longer cope with the physical demands of attending a match. A powerful image for those who remain part of HSV, even if they cannot be present in the stadium.

The stadium show also contributed to raising awareness. Sascha Hinsken from “Empty Stands” vividly described the impact of ME/CFS on everyday life – ranging from extreme exhaustion and sensory overload to years of being bedridden. At the same time, he emphasized how crucial hope, community and reliable points of contact are for those affected.

The matchday initiatives were deliberately linked to the “Day of Invisible Disabilities” on October 20, on which HSV had already taken a clear stance. Around this date, the club raised awareness for illnesses and impairments that are often not visible at first glance. Initiatives such as the “Quiet Hour” in HSV fan shops or an in-depth club article in which an employee openly shared their life with ME/CFS laid important foundations for the current engagement.

Together with the “Empty Stands” initiative – a network of more than 100 football-loving people affected by ME/CFS – HSV is consistently continuing this path. Football becomes a bridge between those affected, their families and the wider public.

“Together with Empty Stands, we want to raise awareness of ME/CFS and its profound impact. Because football connects people, we can build bridges between those affected, their relatives and society – to inform, create understanding and strengthen hope and support,” explains Fanny Boyn, member of the HSV Fan Culture team with a focus on Inclusion & Diversity.

A recap in the HSVtv video makes one thing clear: Visibility creates understanding – and understanding creates community. Even if many affected individuals cannot be present in the stadium, they remain an integral part of the HSV family.