Extraordinary Members Assembly of the DFL discusses next steps with regard to 50+1 rule

14 July 2021 – At an Extraordinary Members Assembly of DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga on Wednesday, the clubs of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 discussed the German Federal Cartel Office’s provisional assessment of the DFL’s motion with regard to the 50+1 rule. No related resolutions were passed.

The next planned step is for the Executive Committee of the DFL to respond to the Federal Cartel Office’s provisional assessment in writing. In doing so, the Executive Committee of the DFL will be guided by the aim of the motion on the basis of the applicable DFL by-laws and the general opinion ascertained at the Members Assembly of 22 March 2018. At that time, a majority of clubs voted for a “process for improving legal certainty and further considerations concerning changes in conditions while retaining the 50+1 rule” on the basis of a motion. The aim is to develop solutions that comply with competition law and are in the interests of all 36 clubs of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2.

The Executive Committee of the DFL, taking the prevailing opinion into account, had on 18 July 2018 submitted a request for proceedings in accordance with Section 32c GWB (Act against Restraints of Competition) to the Federal Cartel Office in order for potential concerns regarding the 50+1 rule and its application and interpretation under competition law to be examined. On 31 May 2021, the Federal Cartel Office discussed its provisional assessment at a meeting with representatives of the DFL and then also sent it in writing to the DFL and those involved in the proceedings to date.