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Federal Cartel Office demands clear rules: 50+1 remains, adjustments necessary!
The Federal Cartel Office reaffirms the 50+1 rule for Bundesliga clubs and calls for changes that also affect VfL Wolfsburg.
Federal Cartel Office demands clear rules: 50+1 remains, adjustments necessary!
On June 16, 2025, a date that is causing an uproar in the football world, the Federal Cartel Office published good news about the controversial 50+1 rule. This rule, which limits the influence of external investors on German clubs in the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga, remains in place but needs urgent adjustments. The Federal Cartel Office found that although there are no fundamental objections to the rule, the German Football League (DFL) is now required to take concrete measures. [Sportschau].
A central element of these demands is the abolition of the current exceptions that benefit VfL Wolfsburg and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. These two clubs have so far been allowed to deviate from the 50+1 rule. Mundt demands that all clubs operate under uniform competitive conditions, which means that the parent clubs must retain control of their professional departments. In addition, the DFL is called upon to open up access to membership and ensure that fans' voices are heard in the clubs' decision-making processes.
Legal action in the room
The reactions to the Federal Cartel Office's statements were prompt. Both VfL Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen have already indicated legal action to protect their interests. RB Leipzig, on the other hand, has taken a clear position by demanding a fair and uniform application of the 50+1 rule for all 36 clubs in the higher leagues. The discussion about the rule is further fueled by the DFB's support for the DFL.
What the future holds remains to be seen. The fan alliance “Fan Scenes in Germany” has also spoken out and is demanding that clubs that do not adhere to the 50+1 rule must expect to be excluded. Many fans see the rule as essential to preserve the identity of their clubs and prevent foreign investors from taking control, as ZDF reports.
A step into the future
The 50+1 rule was introduced to protect German football from being taken over by external investors and to protect the local roots of the clubs. However, it must be clear that the regulations are currently not in line with the latest legal framework, which was raised, among other things, by a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) at the end of 2023. A compromise between the DFL and the clubs Leverkusen and Wolfsburg, which has been discussed since 2023, has so far remained unfulfilled.
The DFL now faces the challenge of converting the Federal Cartel Office's instructions into concrete measures and redesigning relationships with the affected clubs. This will be key to ensuring the integrity of German football while addressing the concerns of fans and clubs alike. The next steps will be crucial to ensure smooth operations in the Bundesliga.
In the dynamic world of football, it remains exciting to see how things develop. Above all, the fans who form the backbone of the clubs will follow developments like a hawk.