German billionaire Hopp - football villain or virus hero?

Three weeks ago, the 79-year-old owner of the Hoffenheim club was the subject of nationwide protests in Germany's football stadiums, with fans calling him a "son of a b***h" and holding up pictures of his face in crosshairs.

This week, Hopp raised hopes of a vaccine for the Covid-19 disease, suggesting a company he owns could develop one as soon as the autumn.

Ranked by Forbes as the eighth richest person in Germany, Hopp made his fortune with SAP, the software company he co-founded in 1972.

Decades later, he used his wealth to propel Hoffenheim, based near Sinsheim in southwestern Germany, from amateur league anonymity to the top-flight Bundesliga and a place among Europe's elite in the Champions League. That made him a hate figure for football fans across the country.