March 23 – Regarded as the root of everything morally correct about the German club structure, the Bundesliga has voted to retain the 50+1 rule which has been held up as a bastion of commercial fair play.
A majority of the 36 Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs voted on Thursday for the retention of the system approving a motion tabled by second division club FC St. Pauli. But the clubs also approved further investigation into the ramifications of the ownership system that is unique in Europe.
The 50+1 rule states that a German football club must retain 50% of the shares in its professional team, plus one share, thus preventing profit-driven owners from acquiring a majority stake.
Last month there were growing murmurs the rule may be reaching its sell-by date with the Bundesliga chief executive Christian Seifert announcing there will be a “transparent debate” on whether to modify it.
Until 1998 private ownership of any kind was prohibited in German football. The 50+1 rule was introduced that year and is reckoned to have reduced debts and wages and, more importantly, kept ticket prices relatively low compared to other major leagues in Europe.
Germany has one of the most admired fan cultures in European football with private investors unable to force through major changes against the wishes of supporters, with one or two exceptions.
“This is a great sign,” said St. Pauli CEO Andreas Rettig after Thursday’s vote. “There were intense discussions but we have found a good compromise. This is a good decision for all those who have the good of football at heart.”
“We had a lively discussion and frank exchanges,” reported DFL President Reinhard Rauball. “The 50+1 rule belongs to the foundations which have strengthened German football and anchored it in society.”
The decision is also a victory for the ‘50+1 stays campaign, which presented a petition signed by over 3,000 fan groups from across Germany.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714047643labto1714047643ofdlr1714047643owedi1714047643sni@w1714047643ahsra1714047643w.wer1714047643dna1714047643