After fan protests against a DFL investor, some clubs recently called for a new vote. Axel Hellmann is now clearly positioning himself on this.
DFL executive committee member Axel Hellmann has rejected the active fan scene’s demands for a new vote on the investor question after numerous protests. “We had a valid proxy vote from Martin Kind. That was the 24th vote. We cannot simply say, because this resolution has become legally effective, that we will vote again,” explained Hellmann on the “Bild Sport” program World TV.
“That would also give all other clubs that are involved a legal opportunity to take action against such a new vote,” said the Eintracht Frankfurt board spokesman.
Hanover boss plays a key role
Last December, 24 of the 36 professional clubs voted yes in the vote on the entry of an investor into the German Football League (DFL). The necessary two-thirds majority was therefore just achieved. The child plays a central role in this. The managing director of Hannover 96’s professional department is said to have voted for it, contrary to his club’s instructions. Without Kind’s vote, the deal would have failed.
“We have to take the clubs’ vote seriously,” said Hellmann. Recently, representatives of Bundesliga clubs also called for a new vote. This causes a lack of understanding in Hellmann. “None of the 36 clubs applied for a letter within the challenge period stating that this vote was legally effective. None of the clubs objected when it came to the question of the secret vote,” said the former interim head of the DFL.
Hellmann: “Don’t declare every protest a civil war”
The protests clearly go too far for Hellmann. It is the case that “in recent decades, from the perspective of the active fan scene, pressure has built up in commercialized football,” said Hellmann. This “is breaking out now. We have to be careful. If that means that we end up heading towards a game being abandoned, then it will happen and then it will also have to be sanctioned.”
According to Hellmann, the fan scene knows exactly “where they can push the buttons for those in charge and the media to respond to.” But one should “not immediately declare every protest a civil war,” said Hellmann.