As of: February 29, 2024, 8:57 a.m
By: Alexander Kaindl
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The collapsed investor deal in the Bundesliga is still causing discussions.
Now Hans-Joachim Watzke has commented on this - with clear statements.
Frankfurt – Hans-Joachim Watzke has described the failed contract between the German Football League (DFL) and a potential investor as “bad for the league”.
While the failed deal is “not a problem” for clubs like FC Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund, it will be “a problem for the other clubs in the league.
The investor's money would be perfect to help the entire Bundesliga grow."
Clear Watzke statements about the failed DFL deal
Watzke, 64, expressed his regret in a virtual discussion with international media that only a small group of fans were able to push through their protests.
The “average fans” have “no problem” with an investor, “but they haven’t told anyone.”
There were “maybe 500 or 800 in the stadium, the organized fans, they had a clear position – no investor.”
According to Watzke, this minority had doubts as to whether the contract would adhere to the “clear red lines” promised by the DFL.
DFL spokesman Hans-Joachim Watzke – here at an event in January 2024. © Steinbrenner / Imago
Watzke believed in an investor deal, “but that has changed in the last few weeks”
The demonstrations ultimately led to a change in the entire situation, the DFL presidential spokesman continued.
According to Watzke, the clubs that had previously voted with a two-thirds majority to negotiate with an investor were unsettled by the fans' resistance.
“As head of the Bundesliga, I always had the feeling that the clear majority of clubs were in favor of it, but in the last few weeks that has changed.”
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Watzke on the investor exit: “Bad for the league, old-fashioned, problem in German society”
During the international media round, in which the AFP news agency also took part, Watzke wanted to announce the opening of a DFL office in New York.
Instead, he had to ask himself questions about rejection from an investor.
“The Germans are traditional, maybe even a bit old-fashioned.
“In Germany, investor is perhaps not the best word,” explained Watzke.
At the same time, he identified a “problem in German society”: every “idea that you tell the public, the public says: not good”.
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