The DFL Presidium member Oke Göttlich has announced the implementation of the recommendations of the Federal Cartel Office for the 50+1 rule. Clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg should not keep a competitive advantage, “who is not entitled”according to the President of Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli.
In a conversation with the “Frankfurter Rundschau”, Göttlich made it clear that he understands the Federal Cartel Office’s provisions for the 50+1 rule as a recommendation for action. “We will implement them now”said Göttlich.
The Bundeskartellamt announced on Monday at the end of its exam of 50+1 that there was basically no concerns about the 50+1 rule. However, several conditions should be met – including the abolition of the exceptions from the rule that currently apply to Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg.
Leverkusen and Wolfsburg had already critically responded to the assessment of the Federal Cartel Office on Monday with similar explanations. Both clubs announced that they “Reserved legal steps” would.
Divellich: Expect a joint attitude of the other clubs
Göttlich said the “Frankfurter Rundschau” that he would expect a joint attitude of the other clubs to how to deal with Leverkusen and Wolfsburg “If this minority thinks they can keep a competitive advantage that you are not entitled to” and thus “The solidarity community attacks”. In the DFL Presidium there is agreement among the club representatives, “that 50+1 will be preserved in Germany “so divine. At the same time, he sees opportunities for a solution. “This is politics and politics consists of compromises. Why shouldn’t we get it together?”
In a circular to the clubs, which the sports show is available, the DFL gives a deadline until August 8, up to which a statement to the Federal Cartel Office is possible. Hans-Joachim Watzke, spokesman for the DFL Presidium, said in a message from the DFL: “The 50+1 rule is an elementary part of German football. The DFL Presidium will continue to work for the protection and continued existence of the rule.”
| person | Association |
|---|---|
Hans-Joachim Watzke | Borussia Dortmund |
Oliver Leki | SC Freiburg |
Steffen Schneekloth | Holstein Kiel |
Michael Diederich | Bayern Munich |
Oke Göttlich | FC St. Pauli |
Axel Hellmann | Eintracht Frankfurt |
Holger Schwiewagner | SpVgg Greuther Fürth |
Marc Lenz | DFL management |
Steffen Merkel | DFL management |
In autumn, the DFL general assembly is pending, in which the Presidium is newly elected for three years.
1. FC Köln: “Become rule unreservedly defend”
Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln also took a position. “The board and the management of 1. FC Köln will continue to defend the 50+1 rule without restriction”the Cologne people said. “The alternative of the abolition of the 50+1 rule excluded the board and management of FC.” For the Bundesliga, who inspires millions of people week after week, one may “Investor League” not be a future model.
50+1 rule
The 50+1 rule states that the majority of the voice shares must always be in the hands of the mother club determined by members. The influence of investors is thus limited. An exemption currently applies to Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg. These exceptions were justified with “continuously and considerable funding over at least 20 years”.
The sports director of the 1st FSV Mainz 05, Christian Heidel, expressed skepticism in the “Frankfurter Rundschau” with a view of an agreement. “The people in the league have a very ungrateful task to find a way now.” The errors were long ago. A reversal of the exceptions granted more than 25 years ago is “Very difficult”. However, it was in the interest of all clubs to find a solution.
Fans of Werder Bremen in the game against Darmstadt 98: “50+1 non -negotiable”
German football before Direction decision
German football is now faced with the decision as to whether it finds a way to enforce the 50+1 rule in accordance with competition law or whether the rule is questioned. The recommendations of the Federal Cartel Office do not have to be implemented immediately, the authority cleared one “Longer transition period” a.
The alliance “Fan Scenes of Germany”, which had significantly organized the protests against the DFL investor, made clear demands: “The DFL, the clubs and their officials now have to show color. The affected clubs have to adapt their company form and organization at short notice within the meaning of the 50+1 rule or exit from organized football.”
Also Leipzig and Hannover topic
In addition to the abolitions of the exceptions for Leverkusen and Wolfsburg “sufficient openness” the mother clubs for voting new members, which means RB Leipzig. “The fact that we may not be entirely happy with the construct at RB Leipzig, you can, I think that is easy to introduce”said Federal Cartel Office President Andreas Mundt the Sportschau.
Thorsten Poppe, Sportschau, June 17, 2025 9:41 am
In addition, the Federal Cartel Office sees weaknesses in the implementation of the rights of the mother’s associations. When voting on the DFL investor deal in 2024, 96 managing director Martin Kind might have agreed with “yes” contrary to the instructions of the mother club. The Bundeskartellamt warned that to enforce the right of instructions should be guaranteed that the representatives of the clubs vote as dependent.