I build a giant in the Premier League

Chapter 350 An Extraordinary Circumstance! Another extraordinary case! A royal flush! You can only choose one of the two! I'm doing charity work in the Bundesliga [Please Subscribe]

Every two or three years, there's always a news story in German football related to the 50+1 rule.

Then, it quickly sparked heated discussions throughout the country.

From Hannover 96 in 2009, to RB Leipzig, and then to Hoffenheim in 2014...

Recently, Martin Kinder, chairman of Hannover 96, dug up old news again and hyped it up once more...

Previously, both Hamburg and Hertha Berlin had been reported to be up for acquisition.

Now it's Frankfurt's turn.

The matter began with some remarks made by Frankfurt President Peter Fischer during an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

He believes that money is corrupting German football!

In this interview, Peter Fischer expressed his disappointment with the results of the recently concluded vote by the members of the Supervisory Board in Frankfurt.

He just lost the vote 3 to 6.

In the presence of government officials, the club's core management team, sponsors, and other stakeholders.

But the Frankfurt president was dissatisfied with the result, believing it to be maliciously fabricated.

“When I first took office in Frankfurt, we only had 1 members. When I said that, a lot of people laughed at us. Now, we have 35000 members, and that number will continue to grow.”

"I am proud and honored to have worked for the past ten years or so!"

"Our club has made a great contribution to the city of Frankfurt and has established a good image."

"But now, those who have been corrupted by money and capital are jumping out to tell us that all of this is outdated!"

"I cannot accept this outcome."

"Money should not be the only pursuit of a football club!"

Peter Fischer stated that Frankfurt has been in good financial shape over the past few years under his management.

Moreover, it has achieved profitability for two consecutive years.

This is a truly remarkable thing.

But they were still not satisfied!

Who are they?

In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Frankfurt finance director Thomas Foster directly targeted a group of reformers led by Wolfgang Stubbs.

The data provided by Thomas Foster, the financial director, is even clearer.

法兰克福连续两年盈利，13/14赛季盈利351000欧元，14/15赛季盈利了120万欧元。

This is a very positive phenomenon.

This proves that the situation in Frankfurt is steadily improving.

So why is the team now teetering on the brink of relegation?
Especially in the 8th round, they lost 0-2 to Darmstadt away from home.

This has caused great dissatisfaction among Frankfurt fans.

Who is Darmstadt?
The team is also located in the Black Forest state, just southwest of Frankfurt, with a population of only 15.

Frankfurt fans thought that no matter what, their team shouldn't lose to their younger counterpart from the same state.
But now?

Frankfurt is ranked 15th, and the next step is the relegation zone.

Darmstadt is ranked 10th.

Peter Fisher initially expressed his responsibility.

But then he turned his attention to the team's head coach, Armin Fae.

Armin Fay recently criticized the team for not giving him enough support in preseason signings.

"I don't understand, what kind of support does he want?"

"Those unrealistic players who would never actually come to Frankfurt?"

Peter Fischer stated that he has formally filed a complaint with the German Football Association and the German Football League.

"I believe that the Frankfurt supervisory board's decision violates the German Football Association's 50+1 policy and should be banned from implementation!"

In other words, it cannot be submitted to the general membership meeting for voting.

Despite Peter Fisher's repeated assertions that the 1148 members would support him and reject the proposal.

……

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung published an interview with Peter Fischer and Thomas Foster.

However, another report also interviewed Wolfgang Stubbs.

The latter pointed out the various problems that Frankfurt is currently facing.

It's not just about finances, but also about football and club management.

For the past few years, Frankfurt has been selling shares; otherwise, it would not have been able to meet the requirements of the German Football Association and the German Football League.

Profits of 35 euros and 120 million euros?
Why not calculate how many shares were sold?

How many players were sold?

In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Wolfgang Stubbs even stated that he understood and had taken into account all the fans' concerns.

For example, he will bring in a management team with extensive football experience.

He didn't say it explicitly, but the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung simply added a parenthetical note: Yang Cheng and his Bethwaite Chinese.

The following section lists Yang Cheng's successes over the past few years.

This includes Basswaters Chinese in the English Premier League, Nice in Ligue 1, Atalanta in Serie A, and Malaga in La Liga.

Most remarkably, in this season's Eredivisie, Twente, which was just acquired by Yang Cheng, has had an excellent start under the coaching of Peter Botz.

With 6 wins and 2 draws, they remain undefeated.

The two matches that ended in draws were a 2-2 draw at home against Ajax and a 2-2 draw away against AZ Alkmaar.

After 8 rounds of matches, Twente have scored 21 league goals and conceded 5.

Currently ranked at the top of the Eredivisie standings.

Of course, many people have questioned this result, because apart from Ajax and AZ Alkmaar, Twente did not encounter any other strong teams, so the quality of the achievement still needs to be tested.

But there's no denying that the Twente team coached by Peter Bots played truly beautiful football!
This has raised a question for everyone.

What kind of magic do Yang Cheng and his team possess?

Why is it that the teams he acquires are transformed so quickly once they pass through his hands?

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung commented on the matter by acknowledging the feelings both sides have for Eintracht Frankfurt, but noting a difference in their philosophies.

Wolfgang Stubbin, with his background in finance, is more adaptable to external changes and therefore actively seeks to bring in foreign capital and outstanding football management teams to strengthen Frankfurt itself.

Peter Fischer, on the other hand, is more traditional, adhering to the German football philosophy and rejecting the temptations of money and capital.

However, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung also raised a question for each side.

Peter Fischer has been questioned by the most authoritative media outlet in the Frankfurt region.

He keeps saying he's sticking to tradition and rejecting money and capital, but why has Frankfurt been selling shares to investors all along? Why are investors from the financial industry, like Wolfgang Stubbs, on the supervisory board?
Isn't this a contradiction?
Furthermore, how does he explain the illusion of the club's profitability?

Over the years, Frankfurt's performance has been inconsistent, and there has long been discontent among Frankfurt's local fans.

Didn't he know?

What exactly did he and his management team do for this? How much did they do?

The tradition he keeps talking about, the 50+1 policy, has only been around for about ten years.

Is he upholding tradition, or is he unwilling to relinquish the power he holds?
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung was even more incisive and direct in its assessment of Wolfgang Stubbs.

The introduction of foreign capital is bound to provoke strong indignation from most Frankfurt fans.

But why would Stubbs do that?
What benefits did the foreign investors promise him?
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung acknowledged the promises made by Yang Cheng's team, as relayed by Stubin, including various investments, such as the transformation of Frankfurt and even the construction of a dedicated stadium for the basketball and hockey teams.

That's really tempting!
But what fans are most worried about is that once this local club is acquired by foreign capital and turns from a non-profit organization into private property, who will restrain these investors?
Wolfgang Stubbs reacted very quickly to this.

He stated that he had not received any promises from the investors, and that as a citizen and fan of Frankfurt, he hoped the club could grow and thrive.

"If Frankfurt can become a top team like Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund, that would be the benefit I hope for!"

Regarding restrictions on investors, Stubin stated that the German Football Association and the German Football League have very comprehensive rules and regulations.

As for the issue that fans were most worried about, Stubin directly threw out his trump card.

"Investors are willing to promise that ticket prices will not increase for the next 10 years!"

Stubin stated that this was not just empty talk, but a public commitment that he was willing to have notarized by the Frankfurt city government.

Yang Cheng, Xia Qing, and their team have made an estimate on this point.

When people are calculating Bundesliga ticket prices, they often overlook one point.

Standing room only in the Bundesliga.

In the Bundesliga, seated tickets are much, much more expensive than standing tickets.

For example, in Frankfurt, their lowest standing ticket season ticket price is currently €159.

The lowest price for a season ticket is €379, and the highest price for a seated ticket is €653.

Note that these are not the prices for VIP seats or private boxes.

In the Bundesliga, stadiums have separate seating and standing areas, with the standing areas typically located at either end of the stadium.

It uses the type of removable seat.

In particular, some teams participating in European competitions often have seats installed and converted into seated tickets for those matches.

When they came to the Bundesliga, the seats were removed and they became standing room only.

Frankfurt's ticket prices are notoriously low, ranking fourth from the bottom in the entire Bundesliga.

The lowest price is for Wolfsburg, with a standing ticket costing only 130 euros, followed by Bayern Munich at 140 euros, and then Hoffenheim at 150 euros.

What about the highest one?
Darmstadt is €240, Hamburg is €208.7, and Dortmund is €207.

Therefore, in Yang Cheng's previous life, after Peking University was relegated to the second division of the German Bundesliga, he refused to forgive the Bundesliga no matter what.

Why?

Playing in the German second division is awesome!
Collecting tickets at some of the highest prices in Germany while playing in the 2. Bundesliga, isn't that great?

Based on statistics from the past few years, combined with Yang Cheng's experience from his previous life, the team predicts that by 2024, Bundesliga ticket prices, especially for Eintracht Frankfurt, will be around 190 euros.

For Yang Cheng's team, promising not to raise ticket prices for 10 years actually doesn't result in a significant loss.

But for Frankfurt fans, this is definitely the most sincere and also the most powerful promise.

In Yang Cheng's previous life, Frankfurt's revenue steadily increased over the next few years under Frankenbach's diligent management, reaching an astonishing 2.4 million euros by the time he transmigrated in 2024.

What now?
Only 7000 million euros.

why?
Because of Frankfurt!

Frankfurt may not be as good as Peking University Hamburger in some aspects, but the city definitely has enormous potential and commercial value.

Due to historical and other reasons, Germany does not actually have a single dominant central city like London, Madrid, or Paris in the strict sense.

But without a doubt, Frankfurt is definitely Germany's economic, financial and aviation center.

In the current Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt also has another team, FSV Frankfurt.

However, this team is not very strong, and its influence in Frankfurt is nowhere near that of Frankfurt itself.

For this reason, Frankfurt is the city's flag.

This surprised Yang Cheng, Adam Crozier, and others.

How can a team like this, with such a treasure trove of talent, fail to develop?
They're just like the management of Peking University King Burger!
In Yang Cheng's previous life, after Stubin took over as chairman of the supervisory board and Frankenbach took over Frankfurt, the club's revenue and management gradually began to get on track.

Not only has revenue been soaring, but the club's overall strength has also improved.

What truly prompted the Frankfurt management to make changes was their near-relegation this season.

In Yang Cheng's previous life, Eintracht Frankfurt only managed to finish 16th in the Bundesliga in the 15/16 season.

According to the rules of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, the 17th and 18th place teams in the Bundesliga are directly relegated, while the champion and runner-up of the 2. Bundesliga are directly promoted.

However, the 16th-placed team in the Bundesliga and the 3rd-placed team in the 2. Bundesliga will participate in the play-offs.

Frankfurt is practically doomed.

Moreover, they drew 1-1 with Nuremberg at home in the first leg of the promotion playoffs.

But they managed to escape defeat by winning 1-0 away against Nuremberg, thus retaining their Bundesliga status.

This led to a consensus among everyone, including Stubin, to reform Frankfurt.

The only difference from the previous life is that there is now an additional Yang Cheng.

In conclusion, Yang Cheng and his team went through very detailed deductions and calculations, and the final conclusion was that taking over Frankfurt at this time was definitely a very worthwhile deal.

The prerequisite is that the 50+1 policy must be approved.

Therefore, in addition to promising that ticket prices would not increase within 10 years, Yang Cheng's team made many other promises.

For example, how much charity work should be done for the community and fans each year?

Didn't the club previously promise to provide low-priced tickets for low- and middle-income groups?

The new team promises not only to provide the full amount, but to double it!
Over the years, the Chinese team at Beswain has done a lot of charitable work in London to give back to the community, fans, and the public. Now, they are doing the same for the fans in Frankfurt.

Where have German fans, especially those from Frankfurt, ever seen so many before?

All of this is to create a sound.

Chinese conglomerates are not here to make money at all.

Or rather, they simply don't want to make money off fans!

On the contrary, the new team will give back to the fans more generously than ever before.

Why?
Doing charity?

of course not.

The new team is capable of making money through sponsors, broadcasting rights, and other areas, so why bother making money off fans?

Isn't this exactly what Bayern Munich has always touted?

And this series of tactics really worked well.

The key point is that they didn't just make empty promises; they wrote it directly into the contract, with the municipal government as witness!

More importantly, the new team has achieved great success in Ligue 1, Serie A, La Liga and Eredivisie.

"In the Bundesliga, our goal is to make Eintracht Frankfurt the most competitive team in the Bundesliga, a top team worthy of the city of Frankfurt!"

With Peter Fisher leading the old team, can you do it?

Besides selling club shares, engaging in corruption, and using Frankfurt for personal gain, what else can you do?
Listen to what they're saying, this is what the fans want!
Public opinion quickly turned around.

While public opinion in Germany was in an uproar, even fiercely attacking Frankfurt for violating the 50+1 rule, the new team received increasing positive reviews among Frankfurt fans and members.

And this is largely thanks to the full support of Onefootball.

Especially the fan community.

On the second Sunday of October, the 11th, 1148 member representatives gathered in the Wolfgang Stubbin Hall of the training building at the youth academy in eastern Frankfurt.

The large number of attendees even forced the meeting to be delayed by 50 minutes.

Representatives from the Frankfurt city government, sponsors, key departments of the club, and the supervisory board were all present.

Even the German Football Association and the German Football League sent representatives to the voting site.

But at this moment, Peter Fisher had completely lost his previous confidence.

He's like a rooster with bloodshot eyes now, pecking at anyone he can catch.

Representatives from the new Chinese team were allowed to attend the voting and made written commitments and guarantees on site.

All the promises made before will be fulfilled.

Notaries and lawyers were present to provide testimony.

After the on-site vote, the results showed that out of 1148 votes, 829 votes were in favor.

209 votes were cast against.

110 votes were cast for abstention.

Finally, the acquisition proposal passed the vote at the Frankfurt members' meeting with an overwhelming majority!

Wolfgang Stubin excitedly stated that this would be one of the most memorable days in the history of Eintracht Frankfurt!
This will undoubtedly be a significant chapter in the history of German football!
As Germany's most open and international city, Frankfurt's football team has taken the first step in the reform of German football!
But everyone knows that this is just the beginning!
……

Yang Cheng received a call from his team in Prague, Czech Republic, informing him of the resolution passed in Frankfurt.

At this moment, he is with Bayern Munich's Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Borussia Dortmund's president, and Reinhard Raubal, who is also the vice president of the German Football Association and the president of the German Football League.

They were also standing together with Reinhard Grindel, who had just been elected president of the German Football Association.

The three men represented Bayern Munich, the German Football Association, and the German Football League respectively at the UEFA Congress in Prague, and they will all be appointed to the UEFA Executive Committee.

Yes, the Germans have secured three seats on the new UEFA Executive Committee.

Interestingly, the four of them received the call almost one after the other, each turned away to finish their call, and when they came back, they looked at each other and burst into laughter.

The other three admired Yang Cheng's abilities.

Many promises, let alone those from Frankfurt, even Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund couldn't make.

For example, ticket prices will not increase over the next 10 years.

But Yang Cheng gave it to him.

This move is indeed very lethal.

The reason German fans insist on the 50+1 rule is largely due to this concern.

Of course, they are not afraid of price increases in 10 years.

If the price increases are too high, they will march and protest at the city government.

There's always a way to deal with Frankfurt's management.

"Just a few days ago, I told them that Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are good role models for us to learn from."

"Bayern Munich's business acumen and Borussia Dortmund's ability to cultivate a home atmosphere are both things we should learn from."

Yang Cheng smiled politely.

The three bigwigs present also laughed.

"We can't really control what's going on in Frankfurt; it's ultimately up to you to decide," Grindel stated.

The biggest problem right now is not the German Football Association.

It's the German Football League and the fans!
The German Football League (DFL) consists of 36 teams in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, and all teams are equal.

The teams that most strongly support the 50+1 rule are usually the 18 teams in the 2. Bundesliga and the 10 teams in the lower half of the Bundesliga.

Interestingly, Frankfurt has historically been one of the most steadfast supporters.

“There’s only so much I can do, you know, I’m like a mascot within the league,” Raubal said with a smile.

"understand."

Yang Cheng clasped his hands together and expressed his gratitude to the three people present.

To some extent, their lack of opposition is already the greatest form of support.

The reason is simple: if this acquisition is rejected, at worst he will lose some money and effort, and then he can just walk away.

But what about them?

I plan to stay in Germany and continue living there.

When people think of each other, that's how a partnership can last.

"I've already had someone speak with Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, and Hoffenheim."

Yang Cheng's words surprised all three people present.

This is about to get serious.

"I have already hired the best legal team specializing in sports law and antitrust law. Next, I need the Football Association and the Professional Football League to hurry up and reject our acquisition!"

Yang Cheng found his own words laughable.

Yes.

The most crucial step in his plan was being rejected!
In fact, they would not agree from any perspective.

Especially considering the strong opposition from fans in Germany, how can they agree?

Who would dare agree?

“I’ll call them in a bit and have my colleagues take a look at the documents you submitted.” Grindel nodded in agreement.

Laubar agreed to that as well.

But Yang Cheng was anxious.

There is no time to rush.

Because there is still a lot to do.

It's mid-October now, and Yang Cheng still hopes to finish it before February 1st, 2016. But there's still Christmas in between.

This is very troublesome.

If it can't be completed before February 1st, and Frankfurt is indeed relegated, then we'll suffer a huge loss.

"No need to look for reasons, the reasons are readily available. Frankfurt's qualification to participate was transferred to Frankfurt AG several years ago, and the Chinese company is now acquiring all the shares of Frankfurt AG."

"With 100% ownership, the Chinese company can exercise all its powers through Frankfurt AG, which effectively violates the 50+1 policy!"

Raubal, Rummenigge, and Grindel all looked at each other in bewilderment.

Have you ever seen people or things like this?
This world is so absurd!

They even came up with reasons to object! That's outrageous!

“Okay, get them to submit it right away, I’ll make the call.” Laubar chuckled.

Anyway, I don't care anymore. I'll just handle things officially, that's definitely the right thing to do.

Grindel shared this attitude.

Yang Cheng then looked at Rummenigge, "Didn't you plan to stand up for me last time?"

"Did I say that?" Rummenigge forgot.

"Didn't you say that?" Yang Cheng asked with a laugh.

Rummenigge immediately realized that the kid was joking.

"What are you going to do next?"

"Let's sue."

"and then?"

"If it doesn't work in Germany, then I'll sue in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg."

If the EU can't do it, then there's really nothing that can be done.

Cases like these cannot be resolved overnight.

It will take at least a few months.

No wonder Yang Cheng was anxious.

……

With the acquisition plan approved by Frankfurt, they immediately began submitting various materials to the German Football Association and the German Football League, which immediately attracted strong attention from the German domestic media.

The public outcry grew increasingly fierce.

Especially German fans.

First, some Frankfurt fans who opposed the acquisition went to the club offices and outside the Frankfurt city government to protest.

Then, fans in other cities protested the acquisition.

The reason is simple: this transaction violates the 50+1 rule.

According to the 50+1 policy, the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Frankfurt GmbH by the Chinese consortium is actually not affected.

The problem is that Eintracht Frankfurt AG holds the German professional league qualification for Eintracht Frankfurt FC.

Having the right to participate in the competition grants one the right to vote.

However, under the 50+1 policy, investors can only obtain a maximum of 49% of the voting rights.

Therefore, unless the Chinese consortium transfers the qualification back to the club's general membership meeting, it would be a violation of the rules!

In Germany, football clubs are owned by their fan members!

There are only three exceptions.

Wolfsburg and Leverkusen are both long-established clubs, which is an exception from the beginning.

Hoffenheim was an exception because it has been a long-term investment for over 20 years.

Even so, Hoffenheim's investor, Hopp, owns 96% of the club's shares, but only has 49% of the voting rights.

Of course, everyone knows that this is just one version of events.

RB Leipzig?
No, RB Leipzig is no exception.

From a legal perspective, they still strictly adhere to the 50+1 policy.

This time, the German Football Association and the German Football League responded quickly, actively addressing the key issues of great concern to the media and fans, and immediately held a press conference.

Both major German football governing bodies have stated that the Chinese consortium's acquisition of Eintracht Frankfurt violates the 50+1 rule in German football and will not be permitted by the German Football Association and the German Football League.

If both sides insist on completing the deal, Eintracht Frankfurt will be disqualified from participating in the German professional leagues.

The news immediately garnered tremendous support within Germany.

Most Bundesliga fans strongly oppose foreign acquisitions.

Even though the promises made by Chinese conglomerates were very attractive, it was still not allowed!

Because these promises were given to Frankfurt, not to fans across Germany.

The statements from the German Football Association and the German Football League have also generated a significant response in Frankfurt.

Fans who had supported the acquisition were deeply disappointed, while those who had initially opposed it were extremely agitated.

Frankfurt president Peter Fischer stated in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, "This is a victory for football!"

"A great victory in the defense of tradition!"

As long as the acquisition is not completed, he will remain the chairman of Frankfurt.

The day after the German Football Association and the German Football League blocked the takeover, the Chinese consortium's lawyers in Germany appeared in Karlsruhe, in southwestern Germany.

Lawyers representing a Chinese consortium have formally filed a lawsuit against the German Football Association and the German Football League in the Federal Court of Germany.

The lawsuit is based on the fact that the regulations of these two agencies violate EU and German antitrust laws.

"It restricts market access for football clubs, and monopolists abuse their power, leaving investors in the German market with no choice!"

"The only way to participate in the Bundesliga is to obey these rules, which is an abuse of monopoly power!"

The lawyer representing the Chinese consortium stated that this regulation simply cannot withstand judicial and antitrust scrutiny because it disproportionately restricts competition in the sports company equity market.

The German Federal Court announced that it has accepted the lawsuit.

This immediately sparked another heated discussion throughout Germany.

The Chinese consortium took both the German Football Association and the German Football League to court in one fell swoop.

A spokesperson for the German Football League (DFL) Executive Committee stated in an interview with reporters that the 50+1 rule is a fundamental component of German football.

DFL will actively cooperate with the federal court's investigation, but the policy itself is not problematic.

"As a professional football league, we must ensure that league laws are rooted in society and that competitive sports, especially the teams that have obtained a license to participate, maintain a close connection with the German people."

Regarding the legal implications of the 50+1 policy, DFL's legal representatives pointed out that DFL has not violated antitrust laws.

"Within the framework of its sports organization autonomy, the football association is fundamentally independent of the state and has the right to maintain the existence of grassroots sports and a controllable capital system through its own regulations."

"This is a very important value in sports!"

The German football fan union is firmly opposed to the investment and says it is actively organizing more protests in hopes of generating a greater social impact.

"Our demands are very simple: to consistently implement the 50+1 policy. Beyond that, there is no room for negotiation with us. We will defend the 50+1 policy at all costs!"

Furthermore, the German Fans Union demanded that the DFL and the German Football Association immediately issue a statement.

"If Eintracht Frankfurt is unwilling to comply with the 50+1 rule, they can get out of the professional league. We do not welcome such a club in our league system!"

Many rational fans believe that since this involves antitrust issues, the German Federal Cartel Office should step in to review the 50+1 policy. If it does violate antitrust laws, then they should quickly find ways to rectify the situation and close the loophole as soon as possible.

The Chinese consortium's lawyers were clearly well-prepared.

In his next interview with reporters, he presented the evidence directly.

Article 16C of the German Football Association (DFB) statutes and Article 8 of the German Football League (DFL) statutes both contain provisions on this matter.

Only companies whose respective clubs hold a majority of the voting shares are allowed to participate in the league's match operations.

But there are exceptions.

Article 8, Section 3 of the DFL Bylaws states that, under certain conditions, commercial enterprises that have continuously invested in and promoted club football for 20 years are permitted to independently control league participants.

Wolfsburg, Leverkusen, and Hoffenheim are all teams that have circumvented the 50+1 rule through Article 8, Section 3, a special case familiar to all fans.

According to EU and German antitrust laws, if Germany's 50+1 policy, as the DFB and DFL claim, is based on commendable social and ethical reasons, it could benefit from an antitrust exemption.

Therefore, it must treat all members in a uniform, consistent, and non-discriminatory manner.

Here comes the problem.

If you, DFB and DFL, insist that the 50+1 policy applies to the exemption provisions under antitrust law.

So, how did Wolfsburg, Leverkusen, and Hoffenheim get special exceptions?
Conversely, if you believe that Wolfsburg, pharmaceutical companies, and Hoffenheim deserved special treatment, then you are violating antitrust laws.

You choose!

You can only choose one of the two options, so where exactly did you go wrong?
This is practically a royal flush!
When the lawyer threw it down, apart from the fans who were still protesting, marching and venting their frustrations, everyone from the DFB to the DFL was completely silent.

When German media interviewed many lawyers and judges specializing in sports law to get their opinions on the lawyers representing the Chinese consortium, almost all of them agreed that there was nothing they could do!
Lore!

But is that all?
Do not!
Many fans actually have a misconception.

It is believed that the 50+1 policy was created when Bundesliga teams faced a huge bankruptcy crisis after the Kirch Group went bankrupt.

Actually not.

它诞生于1998年.

Kirch Group went bankrupt in 2001.

Everyone knows that the Bundesliga was at its peak in 98.

At that time, German football was undergoing a vigorous reform of club ownership, and clubs such as Borussia Dortmund went public during that period.

If you want to go public and attract investors, you will definitely need to carry out shareholding reform.

Thus, the 50+1 policy came into being.

But Wolfsburg and Leverkusen are very special teams.

They could almost be called a factory team.

This was a compromise that was handled as a special case at the time.

The same thing happened to Hoffenheim later.

After all, they've invested for so many years and brought a rural team to the Bundesliga. Isn't that enough?

The problem is that this does violate antitrust laws and restricts the entry threshold.

To put it bluntly, what right do German fans have to criticize RB Leipzig?

They've set membership thresholds, just like the German Football Association has set investment thresholds for clubs—isn't that exactly the same thing?

The Berlin-based German Federal Cartel Office quickly issued a statement saying that, at the request of the German Federal Court, they would review the 50+1 policy.

This news immediately alerted countless people.

Even many fans realized that something was really wrong.

Fabian Reinholz, a sports and intellectual property law expert in Berlin, said in a media interview, "Based on the current situation, it is basically established that DFB and DFL have violated antitrust laws!"

In an interview, Munich antitrust expert Ors revealed that if the 50+1 policy is found to violate German and EU antitrust laws, then all 36 teams in the DFL will be obligated to pay compensation to their respective investors to make up for their losses.

The exact amount will depend on the court's final judgment!
Public opinion suddenly reversed.

Although the fan alliance continues to chant the slogan "Football belongs to the fans," they are already very clear about what's going on.

This is a very deadly crisis!

Chinese investors came prepared.

They precisely exploited the legal loopholes in the 50+1 policy and struck right at the heart of the matter.

……

On the afternoon of June 11th.

Frankfurt, headquarters of the German Professional League.

German football leaders, including FA President Grindel and Vice President and Professional League President Raubal, along with representatives from 36 Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga clubs, gathered in a spacious and bright conference room.

The topic of discussion, however, was something that frustrated them all.

“We have met with a delegation from the Federal Cartel Office and have received very clear information.”

"The outcome is very unfavorable for us!"

Grindel announced the result with a touch of sadness.

Everyone present reacted relatively calmly.

This includes representatives from 36 clubs.

Because over the past month or so, they have received information from various sources and are mentally prepared for this outcome.

Especially recently, the European Court of Justice also intervened.

Only the rules of sports associations that do not cause particular harm can be considered for exemption from antitrust laws.

In plain terms, Germany's 50+1 policy itself restricts and constrains investors, while failing to treat them consistently.

Although everyone already knew the outcome, its arrival still left everyone feeling frustrated.

"So what do we do now?" asked a club representative who seemed rather anxious.

Grindel sighed. "We've already discussed it with the Cartel, and they'll postpone releasing the results. We need to use this time as soon as possible to come up with a rectification plan."

"How to change?"

"Wolfsburg, Leverkusen and Hoffenheim must set up another committee above the club level, as an extra layer of structure. We will assign a professional legal team to provide guidance on how to operate this."

“We have communicated with the Cartel Office, and they believe it is feasible.”

"But this solution can only be used once."

Representatives from Wolfsburg, Leverkusen, and Hoffenheim all expressed their support for the reforms and pledged full cooperation.

"The biggest problem now is that both the federal court and the Cartel Office are advising us to end this case as soon as possible, preferably through an out-of-court settlement."

The representatives from the 36 clubs looked at each other in bewilderment.

Out-of-court settlement?

That means we need to discuss and negotiate with Chinese conglomerates.

"The federal court has made it very clear to me that once the Cartel Bureau issues its report, even if they want to help us, it will be very difficult for us to win."

"Even if we win domestically, we will inevitably lose if the other party takes the case to a European court."

"by that time……"

Grindel's gaze swept over the representatives of the 36 clubs present.

He discovered that the representative from Frankfurt was not Chairman Peter Fischer, but Oliver Frankenbach.

It is clear that the power transition within Frankfurt has been completed ahead of schedule.

Yang Cheng is really cunning!

Even if his acquisition is lost by the German Federal Court, it will be a protracted legal battle if they sue in the EU.

But now, he is eager to push forward with the acquisition and exercise his rights ahead of schedule.

"If the Federal Court or the European Court rules against us, then the 36 clubs present here, as well as our German professional club, will all have to pay compensation to our investment shareholders."

As soon as these words were spoken, the meeting room erupted in chaos.

All the previous rulings were for the greater good.

Especially for mid-to-lower-table clubs and those in the 2. Bundesliga, they are more focused on defending the 50+1 rule.

But now?

If they lose, each of their clubs will have to pay money.

This is cutting into their flesh, causing them excruciating pain!

But this is inevitable.

Many lawyers have already issued warnings about this.

Unless the shareholders voluntarily give up.

But thinking about it, this amount of money probably isn't small, would the shareholders be foolish enough to refuse it?

Ask yourselves honestly, are their shareholders really that generous?
"The situation is now before us; we either go to court and fight them to the bitter end."

"Either we step in and negotiate with the other party to try to reach an out-of-court settlement."

"Everyone, please share your opinions. I respect everyone's decision!"

After Grindel finished speaking, he almost couldn't help but laugh.

Many people believe that the president of the German Football Association has a lot of power.

Little did he know, he had suffered his fair share of rudeness from these clubs on a regular basis.

When has he ever felt this relieved?

That's why I say Yang Cheng is truly capable.

They hired some top lawyers who were able to uncover even such obscure legal loopholes. You really have to admire them!

Fortunately, Yang Cheng and I were friends on each other's side.

The 36 clubs were in a noisy, chaotic mess.

It is clear that everyone has a different opinion.

Some people support fighting to the bitter end and are not afraid of him.

However, some people believe that the time should be seized and an out-of-court settlement should be reached.

Waiting for the Cartel Office to release its review report will only make things worse for them.

Some people even questioned Oliver Frankenbach on the spot whether Frankfurt was a German club or not.
Why are you helping Chinese people bully your own people?

Frankenbach looked completely innocent: "I'm just a business owner."

I have no idea about this!

However, no matter how much we argue, we eventually have to come up with an answer.

Time waits for no one.

Ultimately, when the vote was held, 31 out of 36 clubs supported an out-of-court settlement.

Two voted against, and three abstained.

However, the parties then got into another argument over the terms of the out-of-court settlement.

Clearly, the best way to persuade Chinese investors to withdraw their lawsuit is to accept their acquisition of Frankfurt.

Once they agree to the acquisition, the matter is resolved.

But this is undoubtedly a very difficult decision for the 36 clubs.

Even though Grindel repeatedly emphasized that this was an exception.

Just like Hoffenheim.

Subsequently, the DFB and DFL will cooperate with the Cartel Office to improve the 50+1 policy on a legal level, making it compatible with antitrust laws.

But no one could accept it.

Previously, Wolfsburg and Leverkusen were exceptions.

Hoffenheim was later an exception.

Now, even foreign investment is becoming an exception.

After that, didn't the 50+1 policy become even more of a mere formality?

But Grindel had no other choice.

If we don't make this special exception, how can we persuade the Chinese consortium to withdraw its lawsuit?

What leverage do we have to negotiate with the other party and eventually reach an out-of-court settlement?
Everyone was speechless.

Because the other party is richer than them!

What can we use to negotiate?
Finally, Grindel and Raubal stepped in, and as usual, decided by vote.

Everyone was given ample time to consider before the vote was finally taken.

As a result, 24 out of 36 clubs supported it, but repeatedly emphasized that this was a one-time event!
12 opposed it.

Surprisingly, no one abstained this time.

Grindel accepted the vote and said he would soon assemble a team to negotiate with Chinese investors.

But after the meeting, as he walked out of the conference room, he secretly sent Yang Cheng a text message.

Get it!

(End of this chapter)