Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated: February 22, 2024, 00:01 IST
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The German Football League (DFL), accountable for the nation’s high two divisions, on Wednesday stopped a strategy of discovering a overseas investor for a stake in its broadcasting arm amid rising fan protests.
BERLIN:The German Football League (DFL), accountable for the nation’s high two divisions, on Wednesday stopped a strategy of discovering a overseas investor for a stake in its broadcasting arm amid rising fan protests.
In December, Germany’s first and second tier soccer golf equipment voted in favour of letting a monetary investor take a stake of the DFL media arm in a deal valued at between 900 million and 1 billion euros.
But that triggered a months-lengthy wave of protests from followers opposing the transfer which they noticed as additional commercialisation of soccer within the nation.
They interrupted play throughout many matches by throwing tennis balls and sweet, and unfurling banners.
“A successful continuation of the process looks impossible given the current developments,” DFL board spokesman Hans-Joachim Watzke, who can be CEO of Borussia Dortmund, stated in a press release.
“Even if the large majority is in favour of a strategic partnership. That is why the board unanimously decided… not to continue the process and not to conclude it.”
Fans interrupted nearly each Bundesliga sport final weekend as they intensified the protests, with matches stopped a number of instances and accomplished a lot later than scheduled.
Watzke stated any new votes to attempt to restore it will solely elevate different points surrounding the method and that was not the specified aim of the DFL.
He stated the DFL would within the coming weeks invite golf equipment to talks to analyse the method.
The resolution is a significant blow for the DFL which had been trying to enhance revenues. Leagues throughout Europe are more and more eyeing exterior funding by way of broadcasting preparations to extend revenue and their international attain.
The Bundesliga is ranked as Europe’s second greatest soccer league by income after England’s Premier League.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)
