The discussions surrounding the entry of investors into the German Football League continue. Now 1. FC Köln is speaking out critically.
FC Köln is apparently also campaigning for a new vote on the investor issue at the German Football League (DFL). The resolution passed for a negotiation and final mandate by the DFL presidium is “on a very fragile foundation”, wrote the FC management in a letter to the DFL presidium, which was quoted by ARD-Sportschau on Thursday. A copy of the letter is also said to have been sent to all clubs in the DFL.
According to the letter, Cologne announced that they would soon be submitting a formal request “to release the DFL presidium from the final mandate issued by the general meeting”. The decision on whether to bring in investors should revert to the 36 Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs. If an extraordinary general meeting is required for this, FC Köln will also apply for one. Before Cologne, other clubs such as 1. FC Union Berlin had also called for a new vote.
Due to the controversial role of managing director Martin Kind of second division club Hannover 96, there is a suspicion that “there has been a breach of the 50+1 rule”, the letter continues, according to Sportschau. The Cologne club, which said it had voted no in the vote on a strategic marketing partnership at the general meeting on 11 December, emphasized “that one of the most far-reaching decisions ever for German professional soccer, with a commitment period of up to 20 years, must not be legitimized with the help of legal expert assessments and expert opinions, but on the basis of an undisputed decision”.
Hanover’s club management had instructed Kind to vote against the investment. However, the result of the vote and the public statements made by opponents suggest that Kind voted in favor and thus helped the DFL plan achieve the necessary majority.
“Only I know how I voted,” the 79-year-old told “NDR Info” on Thursday. In view of the ongoing and at times escalating protests from the fan scene, Kind expressed understanding for the withdrawal of potential investor Blackstone. “What then happened in the active fan scene certainly gave those responsible pause for thought,” said Kind.
DFL Executive Committee member Axel Hellmann recently issued a clear rejection of the demand for a new vote. “We had a valid proxy vote from Martin Kind. We cannot simply say that we will vote again because the resolution has become legally valid. That would give all the other clubs that were involved a legal opportunity to take action against a possible new vote,” Hellmann said in the “Bild Sport” program on Welt TV.