The 50 + 1 rule has been in place in the top two German divisions since 1998. It gives clubs a majority of voting rights and limits the influence of external investors. This has made the rule popular among fans, but not universally accepted. The German federal competition authority stated that the rule preserves the club character of the sport and ensures member participation.
The German Football League aims to strengthen the 50 + 1 rule legally to protect it against future challenges. This move is seen as a way to safeguard the club character of German football and prevent external investors from gaining too much influence. The league's goal is to make the rule more robust and resistant to potential legal challenges.
The German federal competition authority's decision to deem the rule compliant with competition laws is a significant development for German football. The rule has been a cornerstone of the sport in Germany, and its continued existence will likely be welcomed by fans and clubs alike. The league will now work on strengthening the rule legally, which could involve further consultations with the German federal competition authority and other stakeholders.