The Bundeskartellamt has officially closed its proceedings regarding the antitrust evaluation of the 50+1 rule, which governs ownership and investment in German professional football clubs. The authority has communicated its findings to the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) and involved parties, emphasizing the need for consistent application of the rule.

According to the Bundeskartellamt, the 50+1 rule, which limits economic competition for investments in professional football, can be justified by its aim to promote club identity and member participation. However, it must be applied uniformly without unjustified differences among clubs.

Bundeskartellamt President Andreas Mundt stated that the authority has thoroughly considered the arguments from all parties involved. The evaluation remains largely unchanged, affirming that the 50+1 rule can be justified if applied consistently. The DFL is advised to ensure equal access to membership for fans across all Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga clubs and to adhere to the rule in its own voting processes.

The authority's review also highlighted deficiencies in the DFL's licensing practices, particularly regarding fan participation and the implementation of the 50+1 rule during investor voting. The Bundeskartellamt noted that inconsistencies could undermine the rule's antitrust exemption.

Furthermore, the Bundeskartellamt assessed the DFL's proposals to eliminate exceptions for certain clubs, suggesting that these changes could contribute to a more legally secure application of the 50+1 rule. However, existing proposals for transitional protections for clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg were deemed insufficient.

Ultimately, the Bundeskartellamt does not intend to prohibit the 50+1 rule, as it currently serves a public interest by allowing broad participation in professional football. The authority has clarified that it will not impose specific requirements on the DFL regarding the rule's implementation, leaving it to the DFL to determine how to adapt its practices.