With the abrupt cancellation of the billion-dollar deal with an investor, the German Football League has bowed to the fans in a test of strength. On Wednesday (February 21, 2024), the DFL ended negotiations about the entry of a strategic partner to restore peace in the stadiums.
Some clubs had recently suggested further votes. There had previously been weeks of fan protests in the 1st and 2nd leagues with tennis balls, chocolate coins and other sweets, remote-controlled cars and even small airplanes, and there was a threat of game cancellations. Ultimately, only investor CVC remained in the controversial bidding competition.
Watzke: “Process is over”
“Now I just had the feeling that there was no longer a majority. And then you no longer need to vote if you have the feeling. In any case, this process is now over,” said DFL Supervisory Board Chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke .
Moritz Kühn, sports show, February 21, 2024 11:25 p.m
The executive board of the umbrella organization of the 36 professional clubs decided unanimously in Frankfurt am Main not to continue talks with CVC – and after the hoped-for deal fell through, it now has to find other sources of money in order to implement its modernization plans.
This is how football Germany reacts to the failed deal
Oke Göttlich, member of the DFL executive committee and president of the second division club FC St. Pauli: “The process could no longer be implemented in this form, also because the game operations and therefore football itself are increasingly endangered. There was also a risk of further polarization, which could block a constructive exchange in the long term. We have to look for solutions together instead of against each other work. It is not the time for one-sided blame or howls of triumph, but for respectful exchange – in the common interest of strengthening football in national competitions on the basis of 50+1 and other statute-relevant rules. Everyone has to move to achieve this, otherwise we will come not progress – but will soon be faced with the rubble of an idea of more balanced competition and cleaner regulatory processes. With this step, we are urgently required to seek the institutionalized dialogue with the fan groups that has been buried for many years and to necessarily talk to each other about the financial future of the clubs. “
Thomas E. Herrich, Managing Director, Hertha BSC (second division team):
“We support this step by the DFL executive committee and consider it to be the right decision in the overall situation,” said managing director Thomas Herrich, according to a statement from the club. “What will now be decisive is how the DFL and its clubs will align themselves in the future and what long-term objectives will be agreed upon that can sustainably strengthen the leagues,” said Herrich.
CVC (DFL’s sole negotiating partner):
“We have no comment.”
Fan Association “Our Curve”:
“It becomes clear how important, how competent and how strong fans and members are in the clubs. We now know once again how valuable the 50+1 rule and the participation of members are.” (Chairman Jost Peter) “A good day for Germany’s football fans.” (Association spokesman Thomas Kessen)
VfB Stuttgart (Bundesliga team):
“We welcome this understandable decision by the DFL Executive Board, which allows all of us who love football to come together again. Now it is important to draw conclusions from the past few weeks and to use this to create a basis for the further development of German football, supported by as many as possible “To create professional football. Associations, clubs and fans can only do this together.”
Michael Ströll, Managing Director FC Augsburg: “We welcome the DFL executive committee’s decision not to continue the process. We placed great trust in the committee to make a responsible decision in the interests of German football and were not disappointed. The decision was certainly not made lightly, but We are convinced that, taking into account all the circumstances, it is correct and expedient in the current situation. It is important that this decision is not now used by the supporters to force the division of the leagues. That would be completely out of place in the current situation. The merger of the two leagues is a great and important asset for German football.”
Citizens’ movement for financial transition (managing director Daniel Mittler):
“Public pressure from civil society can also stop big money. For us, this is a cause for celebration.”
Several clubs had previously called for a new vote after doubts were raised about Martin Kind’s behavior in the DFL vote on investor plans in December. The managing director of Hannover 96 was instructed by his club to vote against the investor plans. In the “secret” vote, it was Kind’s vote that seemed to have made the DFL’s plans possible.