“In view of current developments, a successful continuation of the process no longer seems possible,” said Hans-Joachim Watzke, spokesperson for the DFL presidium, after a meeting in Frankfurt (west).
Supporters have been protesting for several weeks against this project, in particular by disrupting matches by throwing objects (tennis balls, sweets, etc.) onto the pitches, forcing frequent interruptions.
The 36 professional clubs of the German first division (Bundesliga) and 2nd division had initially decided to appeal to an investor in December, the CVC fund, in order to “guarantee long-term sustainable success” of the professional league.
In exchange for 8% of future television rights, the League was to receive a windfall of nearly a billion euros to help it market and promote the Bundesliga internationally, whose image is far from reaching that of the English and Spanish championships despite prestigious clubs like Bayern Munich and full stadiums.
The League finally bowed to the supporters’ reaction even though “there is a large majority in favor of the entrepreneurial necessity of a strategic partnership” with an investor, lamented Mr. Watzke.
This decision was taken unanimously and follows a first failure last May.
German professional football finds itself “in the middle of a test which takes place (…) between clubs, but also within clubs between professionals, coaches, managers, supervisory bodies, general assemblies and communities of supporters”, according to Mr. Watzke.
Germany’s powerful fan organizations opposed the deal, saying its process lacked transparency and essentially led to “over-commercialization” of their sport.
At the heart of the debates, the so-called 50 1 rule, which requires that German clubs hold at least 50% plus one vote of the rights and that they thus maintain control over major decisions.
“It’s a good day for fans of German football,” said Thomas Kessen, spokesperson for the supporters’ association “Our Curve”, interviewed by SID.
