FC Motion: DFL Presidium should hand over final mandate to clubs
At the DFL General Assembly on 11th December 2023, the 36 clubs of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga gave the DFL Executive Committee a negotiating and closing mandate for cooperation with a private equity partner with the required minimum majority of exactly 24 votes. The capital, to be contributed by the private equity company, is to be used for the further development of the DFL business model. As is well known, 1. FC Köln had voted against the cooperation in the vote.
Since this vote in favour of cooperation with a private equity company, Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga games have been affected by widespread, massive fan protests. The background to the fan protests are doubts about the legality of the decision taken by the DFL General Assembly, which are currently justifiable, according to a statement by Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896 e.V., are in particular with regard to the vote by Hannover 96 GmbH & Co. KGaA. On the other hand, the fan groups, supported by more and more sections of the public, doubt the cultural suitability of a private equity company for professional football in Germany.
Yesterday, Thursday, several media outlets reported on a confidential letter from 1. FC Köln to the DFL Executive Committee and the DFL clubs in which 1. FC Köln announced a request to release the DFL Executive Committee from the final mandate and to return the decision on the conclusion of the cooperation with the private equity company remaining in the bidding race, CVC, to the DFL clubs. The media reports on this letter and the announcement of the application are in line with the facts.
In principle, 1. FC Köln fully supports the majority vote of the DFL General Assembly despite voting against the proposal and already publicly declared this in December 2023. The prerequisite for this, however, is a result that has been legally achieved. The allegations in the room, in particular a possible violation of the 50+1 rule, must be cleared up.
In this context, 1. FC Köln expressly emphasises that it is in no way the intention of its motion to express any kind of mistrust of the DFL Executive Committee. Rather, 1. FC Köln is concerned with establishing legal certainty.
This requires acceptance of the vote of the DFL General Assembly among members, fans and the public. There must be a breakthrough in regards to the increasing confrontation.
However, it is also clear that crossing boundaries, especially in the form of insulting and discriminatory banners or other radical behaviour, such as that recently seen at Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga matches, is absolutely unacceptable and detrimental to constructive discourse.
1. FC Köln will continue to actively participate in the discussion about the future development of professional football in Germany in the interests of its members and fans. More than ever, this requires an open dialogue and cooperation between all parties involved.
Vorstand des 1. FC Köln 01/07 e.V.
Geschäftsführung der 1. FC Köln GmbH & Co. KGaA
