debundesliga1-6, Exercise 1: Clubs and the state

Model answer:

In East Germany sports clubs were attached to state bodies, such as the army, the police and industrial or trade organisations, which supported them with funds, players and facilities. Some clubs were also seen as favoured by officials.

This matters because a club's success may reflect state support as well as football, results may be disputed, and the same history can be read differently by fans, historians and officials. It also makes comparison with West German clubs harder. Details should be checked.