Anti-investor protest banners prominent in Bundesliga stadiums ahead of Monday vote
| Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
German media sources cannot yet ascertain which capital group wishes to invest in the German Bundesliga. Global investment funds Advent, Blackstone, VCV, and EQT are the four possible holding companies; of which one wishes to be the first potential partner of a new DFL spinoff licensing company. Unlike last summer, a much smaller total investment and stake in the league is being voted on.
Proponents of the plan hope that the reduced scale of the commitment might help the motion gain the two-thirds majority amongst the 36 member clubs contesting Germany's top two footballing flights. The other important adjustment, in an effort to ensure that the investor doesn't unduly influence decisions, gives the clubs a double voting share and greater veto power over potential investor influence.
Some specific concerns voiced by fan groups have also been addresses. The investor will, for example, be explicitly forbidden from influencing things such as the scheduling of match-days, kick-off times, and most other types of sporting organization. This naturally didn't stop protest-hungry Bundesliga fans from voicing their opposition within the stadiums on Saturday afternoon.
Anti-investor banners were observed in the ultras-sections of FC Union Berlin, Eintracht Frankfurt, SV Werder Bremen, and 1. FC Heidenheim. SC Freiburg, FC Augsburg, and Borussia Mönchengladbach traveling supporters also brought banners to their away matches. It stands to reason that protests will continue in first and second divisions throughout the weekend.
Germany's preeminent footballing publication, Kicker Magazine, cites its own sources to claim that the Monday vote looks far more likely to pass than the failed initiative last May. German footballing journalist Benni Hofmann - in an article published on Kicker's website - nevertheless emphasizes that the tea leaves cannot fully be read. Hofmann cautions that an outcome cannot be predicted.
Vor der DFL-Abstimmung am Montag hat es in mehreren Bundesliga-Stadien Proteste gegen einen Investoren-Einstieg gegeben.https://t.co/kQq02rzT7E
— Michael Werner (@calcio03) December 9, 2023
Für alle Funktionäre in allen Verein. Der heutige Gästeblock bringts transparent auf den Punkt "ES BLEIBT DABEI. NEIN ZU INVESTOREN IN DER DFL". #FCUbmg pic.twitter.com/WF1Atkv07F
— Union Ralle 📯bei BlueSky @UnionRalle@bsky.social (@EisernRalf) December 9, 2023
Ordner sollten verhindern, dass im #Niedersachsenstadion & im TV die "Es bleibt dabei: Nein zu Investoren in der DFL"-Botschaft der #Hannover96-Fans zu sehen ist. Spruchband wurde wenige Sitzreihen höher präsentiert. Alle Fanfotos gibt es hier: #H96KSC https://t.co/DTJV16EbRu pic.twitter.com/AYegGS18gK
— Faszination Fankurve (@FasziFankurve) December 9, 2023
Fassen wir mal das Abstimmungsverhalten der Bundesliga zusammen
— 🦊 (@kirchi_privat) May 25, 2023
Für den Investoren Einstieg bei der DFL waren:
Bayern, BVB, Union, Freiburg, Frankfurt, Gladbach, Werder, Investorenclubs
Gegen einen Einstieg:
Köln, VfB, Schalke, Augsburg
Nicht bekannt:
Mainz, Bochum, Hertha pic.twitter.com/Scz80lUrCw