Our time is now: The Frauen Bundesliga clubs take control and eliminate the DFB

December 9 – Germany’s 14-club Frauen Bundesliga has taken the bold step of breaking away from the German Football Association (DFB), confirming that they will establish a new league organization without the federation’s involvement after negotiations between them failed.

The move comes just months after the DFB Bundestag approved plans for the creation of a jointly owned Frauen Bundesliga company, in which the club and the federation would own equal 50% shares. The two clubs have collectively committed more than €700 million to the project, while the DFB has pledged €100 million over eight years to support the commercialization and professionalization of the league.

But club executives say the DFB implemented last-minute provisions that undermined what had been agreed. Bayern Munich chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said the switch left clubs “taken by surprise” and ultimately unwilling to continue with the changed terms.

“The key points for the creation of a joint FBL GmbH have been agreed upon in discussions with the DFB,” Dreesen said. “So, what is even more surprising for us, the clubs, is that the basis of the negotiations is now in question – even though the clubs would have invested much more in the Women’s Bundesliga. To avoid wasting any more time, we have unanimously decided to complete the establishment of the FBL eV… without the DFB.”

Eintracht Frankfurt chief executive Axel Hellmann expressed his frustration, saying the clubs “unanimously expressed their desire to organize themselves more effectively as a group,” and were “disappointed that the agreement that has been reached… is not, in our view, reflected in the contract documents.”

Hellmann added: “Whether that will result in a joint venture with the DFB or whether the clubs will go their own way, that’s completely open at this stage.”

The DFB rejected suggestions they had derailed the process, and insisted their participation was “never planned” in the form the clubs are now seeking. Dr Holger Blask, secretary general of the federation, said the DFB “kept the commitments made,” and added: “We are convinced that the joint creation of FBL GmbH is the right path… No contract is yet ready to be signed.”

Despite the stance, the clubs said they would officially establish the new organization on December 10, with the meeting moved to Frankfurt’s Eintracht stadium amid widening rifts over the control, governance and future structure of women’s football in Germany.

Contact the author of this story, Harry Ewing, at strength.l1765284532Labto1765284532ofdlr1765284532become1765284532sni@g1765284532there he is.1765284532yrrah1765284532