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Leverkusen and Wolfsburg are threatening legal action against the DFL!
Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen criticize the 50+1 rule and are threatening legal action. DFL is under pressure to find solutions.
Leverkusen and Wolfsburg are threatening legal action against the DFL!
The discussion about the controversial 50+1 rule in German football is picking up speed again. Today the Federal Cartel Office's preliminary antitrust assessment was published, which not only draws attention to the DFL (Deutsche Fußball Liga e.V.), but also causes quite a stir among the clubs concerned. Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg in particular are dissatisfied with the developments and are threatening legal action. This is a real excitement that could really shake up the football landscape in Germany, as n-tv reports.
The Federal Cartel Office sees no fundamental disadvantage in the 50+1 rule, as it ensures broad member participation and club influence. But the DFL authority still recommends a “remarkable change of course” in order to implement the rule in a legally secure manner. Requirements such as ensuring uniform competitive conditions for all clubs in the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga are considered necessary. The topic of member participation could also gain more weight in this discussion, because the DFL must ensure that all clubs offer their fans memberships with voting rights, as can be read in an official communication from the Federal Cartel Office [bundeskartellamt.de](https://www.bundeskartellamt.de/SharedDocs/Meldung/DE/Press Releases/2025/06_16_2025_50plus1.html).
Dissatisfaction among the affected clubs
However, Bundesliga clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg do not feel sufficiently appreciated by the latest assessment. They consider the Cartel Office's statement to be weak in terms of content and results and criticize the previous interpretation of the 50+1 rule. Above all, the possibility of lawsuits that could affect these clubs in particular is causing a good deal of nervousness. “We can’t put up with this,” were the clear words from the Leverkusen management. Hannover 96 has also spoken out on this matter and sees its opinion on the 50+1 rule confirmed, supported by the fans who are also pushing for consistent implementation.
DFL President Hans-Joachim Watzke warns that the league could face a breaking point unless a compromise is found. “We urgently need to get together and work out solutions to satisfy everyone involved,” he demanded in a recent statement. The DFL has not lost sight of the challenges: it plans to deal with the issue quickly and develop a proposal for agreement as quickly as possible in order to defuse the situation dfl.de.
The future of the 50+1 rule
One thing is clear: the DFL has already tried to dispel concerns in the past through mandatory commitments. But the pressure remains high. Recent ECJ case law, particularly on topics such as the “Super League”, opens up further dimensions that must be taken into account in the discussion. With this in mind, the DFL will carefully examine the Federal Cartel Office's reassessment and, if necessary, make adjustments in order to make both the 50+1 rule and the associated framework conditions future-proof.
The coming weeks seem to be crucial: Will the clubs involved and the DFL find a common denominator to modernize the 50+1 rule and apply it in a legally secure manner, or will there be noticeable discontent in the league? One thing is certain: the tensions surrounding the rule could have far-reaching consequences for the structure and reputation of German football.