DFL to meet over investor as Hanover's Kind expects talks to fail
German Football League (DFL) top officials are set to meet over the recruitment of an investor amid ongoing fan protests and calls from clubs for a new vote, dpa has learnt.
According to dpa sources, the meeting is set for later in the week and will determine the next steps on the issue.
Bundesliga club Cologne are among those calling for a new vote for better legal security and acceptance, and have sent the DFL an according letter.
Monday's Frankfurter Rundschau paper quoted Cologne as saying that German professional football would demonstrate "respect and greatness in this way."
The paper said that DFL CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke is not averse to a new vote but the DFL also said on Monday it has so far not received a formal request to be released from its obligations from the original vote.
The DFL wants to boost marketing capabilities in a billion-euro ($1.08 billion) deal over a maximum 20 years with the investor deal.
The 36 DFL clubs just reached the necessary two-thirds majority in December, and there is speculation the 24 votes were only reached because Hanover managing director and majority share holder Martin Kind voted against club orders and in favour.
This could be in violation of the 50+1 rule in German football under which the club has the final saying. Kind has refused to disclose how he voted, saying it was a secret ballot.
Fans meanwhile feel profit will be put before them and tradition, and they have been protesting for weeks by throwing objects onto the pitch, interrupting Bundesliga and second division games.
They want at least a new and transparent vote.
Kind, for his part, told broadcasters NDR on Sunday night he no longer believes that a deal will happen because potential investors "will all jump ship."
Only one candidate, CVC Capital, is left after last week's withdrawal of Blackstone which Kind said he was not surprised about.
"I a would have done the same if I had responsibility at Blackstone. They need partners they can rely on. And the DFL is not making a strong impression at the moment," said Kind, naming "reliability, confidentiality, professionalism" basic requirements.
Kind dismissed the protests, which were partly also directed against him, saying that "football arenas are not a lawless area.
"If we allow that, then we leave the rules of the game to third parties. But that would end in chaos and that is simply not an option," he said.
Looking at the overall implications, Kind said "I fear it will also have an impact on the negotiations for future television contracts. And on sponsors.
"I don't want to paint any horror scenarios here. But you should switch on your brain and think about the impact of decisions on the markets and on potential partners."
If the entry of an investor fails, this means stagnation, Kind said. "And stagnation always means a step backwards."
