Overview

• On June 26 the Bundeskartellamt issued three non-binding recommendations that would force the DFL to amend its statutes to uphold the 50+1 rule across all 36 clubs
• The first recommendation calls for Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg to surrender their permanent exemption by ensuring their parent associations hold controlling votes in the professional subsidiaries
• A second measure would impose new governance controls requiring GmbH directors to follow formal instructions from their parent e.V. clubs and enable the DFL to verify compliance
• The third recommendation targets RB Leipzig by mandating open membership with full voting rights for all fans to standardize participation across member clubs
• Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg have warned of legal challenges if changes proceed and some clubs may consider shifting corporate structures toward AG models to comply