(Football news) One of the reasons German football has traditionally prioritised fans is largely due to the German Football League’s 50+1 rule where private investors have not been able to take over clubs to make profit at the expense of supporters due to a restriction of voting rights. As per this rule, supporters have a large say in how their football clubs are run instead of outside influence from an investor.

The DFL has now submitted a proposal to ensure that no exemptions are made while the current framework is tightened to ensure investors cannot find a loophole. As things stand, the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg are exempt from the 50+1 rule because their investors have had an interest in the clubs for more than 20 years.

Hoffenheim are spared of the 50+1 rule because major investor Dietmar Hopp has made a substantial financial commitment to grassroot activities and also funded professional and amateur football in Germany. According to the DFL, the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg will continue playing at the highest level as long as they meet certain criterias. Hopp recently said that Hoffenheim will not require exemption as he would be handing out the majority of his voting rights to the club without any compensation.

Historically, football clubs in Germany have been not for profit organisations and the purpose of the 50+1 has been to ensure that fans feel a part of the clubs that they support. According to current rules, football clubs cannot compete in the Bundesliga if commercial investors have more than 49% stake, which is a stark contrast to other leagues around Europe where no such restriction is in place. However, given the debacle of the European Super League and the absence of Germany’s top clubs such as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, one cant help but feel that the 50+1 rule should be a standard for every top league in the world.

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