Overview

• DFB President Bernd Neuendorf has ruled out increasing the 3rd division to 22 teams, citing financial and logistical challenges.
• The current promotion system allows only four teams from five regional leagues to advance, prompting calls for reform from 17 clubs in the Regionalliga Nordost.
• Neuendorf criticized the public nature of an open letter from the clubs and redirected the matter to regional associations for further discussion.
• The clubs are pushing for a reduction from five to four regional leagues, which will be a key topic at the upcoming NOFV reform summit in late March.
• ZFC Meuselwitz withdrew support for the reform, fearing it could dismantle the Regionalliga Nordost, but remains open to discussions on geographic adjustments.