The planned investor deal in the Bundesliga has fallen through. This was decided by the Presidium of the German Football League (DFL) at its extraordinary meeting in Frankfurt/Main on Wednesday. “In view of current developments, a successful continuation of the process no longer seems possible,” said Hans-Joachim Watzke, spokesman for the DFL Presidium. Parts of the fan scene recently protested massively against the plans.
With CVC there was only one potential financier willing to get involved. “Even if there is a large majority in favor of the entrepreneurial necessity of the strategic partnership: German professional football is in the midst of a test that is taking place not only within the league association between the clubs, but also partly within the clubs between professionals, coaches, club managers, supervisory bodies and general meetings and fan communities are causing major disputes, which are increasingly jeopardizing game operations, specific game processes and thus the integrity of the competition,” Watzke is quoted in the statement: “The viability of a successful conclusion of a contract in terms of financing the 36 clubs can, given the circumstances can no longer be guaranteed in the league association with its 36 member clubs.”
The 36 professional clubs in the Bundesliga and the 2nd league initially decided to bring in an investor in December. The necessary two-thirds majority was barely achieved in the vote. One more no vote or one more abstention would have ensured that the DFL’s planned deal for around one billion euros would have collapsed, as it did at the first attempt in May. A dispute then broke out over the voting behavior of Martin Kind, club boss of Hannover 96.
Watzke also addresses the special role of children in his statement. It should not be overlooked that this vote lacks broad acceptance due to the events surrounding Hannover 96. In view of the great asset that we hold in our hands with the 50+1 rule, ignoring this should not be our approach “The DFL Presidium is unanimous in its support of the 50+1 rule.”
The parent club Hannover 96 had instructed managing director Martin Kind to vote “no”. There is considerable doubt as to whether Child did this. Kind himself does not comment on his voting behavior; the election was secret. The doubts about the legitimacy of the vote, along with general skepticism about possible influence by an investor, were the main criticism of the protesting fans against the deal.