Investors in Bundesliga clubs
DFL clearly supports the 50+1 rule
April 2, 2024, 7:59 p.m
It remains an ongoing topic. The Presidium of the German Football League once again takes a clear position on the question of the majority of votes. It’s currently about an ongoing investigation at the Federal Cartel Office – and about the infamous Super League.
The Presidium of the German Football League has once again reiterated its position on the 50+1 question. The DFL said in a statement that it would continue to advocate for the protection and continued existence of the rule, after the Presidium had “examined in detail current developments on the topic of 50+1” at its most recent meeting.
The background is primarily the ongoing investigation at the Federal Cartel Office, which the DFL had sought. This is intended to strengthen the legal certainty of the rule according to which an association must have at least 50 percent plus one vote in a stock corporation or corporation. This is intended to prevent investors from taking over a majority of votes in corporations from associations. The 50+1 rule recently came into focus again during the heated discussion about the now-discarded plans for investors to join the DFL.
The Super League also plays a role
“The 50+1 rule is a central and fundamental part of the statutes of the DFL eV and applies to all members and bodies of the league association,” explained the DFL in the statement. “The participation of club-based clubs in the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga is an essential part of these competitions.”
In February, the Federal Cartel Office announced that “the current case law of the European Court of Justice (ECJ)” must now also be taken into account when assessing the DFL’s proposals to change the statutes. This caused the vote on the changed 50+1 rule to be delayed again.
Among other things, the highest European court ruled on December 21st in the dispute over the establishment of a Super League: The major football associations may not make other competitions dependent on their approval and may not prohibit clubs and players from taking part in these competitions.