Fans force Bundesliga to close 50+1 loopholes ahead of December vote

While the Fanszenen Deutschlands alliance urges the Bundesliga to seal every loophole in the 50+1 rule, the league’s leadership warns that rushed enforcement could spark legal battles, a clash underscored by the alliance’s declaration that there is “Kein Raum für faule Kompromisse”.

The coalition, which brings together several but not all German fan scenes, has called for a consistent termination of every exemption in the new 50+1 regulation. In a statement it also threatened legal action should corporations pursue lawsuits and explicitly criticised the DFB.

Fans demand end to exemptions

"Die Empfehlungen des Kartellamts müssen schnellstmöglich umgesetzt werden", the alliance wrote, demanding a commitment from all clubs to the 50+1 principle.

It added that such a commitment can only come Hand in Hand with the abolition of all exemptions and avoidance attempts, and there is no room for lazy compromises with VW, Bayer and Red Bull.

Midweek cup matches already saw protest actions, with 1. FC Nürnberg supporters flashing a symbolic red card to Bayer Leverkusen and chanting “50+1 umsetzen”.

Remarkably, Bayer Leverkusen fans echoed the same demand, and similar actions are expected over the weekend.

The alliance warned that for the Fall of a lawsuit by corporations, they should consider whether they want to become the enemy of German football, concluding “Mit uns ist nicht zu spaßen”.

Fanszenen Deutschlands also shaped the protests against the failed 2024 Bundesliga investor plans, using tennis balls, chocolate bars and remote‑controlled toy cars, though the focus ultimately shifted to 50+1 after a vote raised suspicions of a breach involving Hannover 96.

According to Sportschau, new protests of this calibre concerning 50+1 represent a major worry for the league association.

League and cartel office stance

The Federal Cartel Office has judged the 50+1 rule compatible with European law provided it is applied uniformly to every club.

It noted that Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg are officially exempt and fully owned by Bayer AG and Volkswagen AG respectively, and argued that these exemptions must not continue if the rule is to be legally sound.

The office clarified that only courts can establish case law, not the cartel authority itself.

The Bundesliga presidency cautioned against swift enforcement without transition periods, fearing a legal dispute could endanger the rule rather than strengthen it.

It therefore supports preserving the rule while seeking a consensual solution that involves all clubs, including those whose structures must change.

League officials also criticised the lack of openness for voting rights of new members at RB Leipzig and the absence of systematic voting procedures within the association, calling for solutions to these issues.

Roadmap to a consensual solution

The league presidency announced a proposal to be presented by summer 2027, acknowledging that Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg would need to transfer the majority of their voting shares to a member‑determined club for equal treatment.

Such a club’s elected representatives would wield extensive powers, potentially up to appointing or dismissing a managing director.

Volkswagen AG currently holds 100 percent of the voting rights at VfL Wolfsburg.

A members’ meeting of the 36 Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga clubs is scheduled for December, where the presidency intends to legitimise its compromise approach through a vote.

Fanszenen Deutschlands issued a statement demanding an immediate end to the erosion of 50+1 in Bundesliga votes and called for open decisions at the December gathering.