After the warning from DFL boss Hans-Joachim Watzke about the new basic contract, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf referred to the ongoing talks.
“After this interview, we had a very good conversation, a very good exchange,” said Neuendorf (61) of the German Press Agency. “We will continue that now and continue to work seriously on solutions.” Both officials will be elected to top international offices this Wednesday at the Congress of the European Football Union in Lisbon.
DFL supervisory board chairman Watzke (63) recently described the DFB’s demands as “exorbitant” in an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. The league should not be “fully comprehensive insurance for DFB mistakes in the past,” said the managing director of Borussia Dortmund, who is also the 1st DFB vice-president by virtue of the league office. If negotiations fail, there is even a risk of going to arbitration.
The basic contract regulates the annual cash flows between DFB and DFL. The league participates, among other things, in the income from the marketing of the national team and in the surpluses of the DFB from world and European championships. Among other things, the DFB is involved in the income from media rights and ticket sales of the league. In the 2021 financial report, the association reported income from the basic contract in the amount of 26 million euros, the expenditure was 20 million euros.
Former DFB President Reinhard Grindel (61) criticized Watzke for his statements about “past mistakes”. The association, which is in financial difficulties, in particular due to tax provisions, is currently “fighting with the most recognized tax lawyers before the financial courts for non-profit status. This legal position should not be weakened by public statements,” Grindel told the dpa. “The DFB’s problem is the academy’s increased expenses, which were also in the interest of the league.” “Everything has to be put to the test”.
