Fernando Carro, the managing director of Bayer Leverkusen, has once again expressed his support for the abolition of Bundesliga’s 50+1 rule. This rule effectively curtails the power and influence of investors in Bundesliga clubs. Carro, being at the helm of the league leader’s club, voiced his opinion at DAZN, stating that it would be beneficial for German football if this general regulation was done away with.
While Carro is not completely against the 50+1 rule, he firmly believes that the decision of implementing the rule should rest with each individual club. He is of the view that every club should have the freedom and autonomy to decide for itself whether it wants to adopt the 50+1 rule or not. Despite his personal views, Carro also respects the democratic process and has committed to accepting the rule if it is what the majority of German football desires.
Furthermore, Carro also expressed his thoughts on how his club, Bayer 04, is perceived. He firmly stated that Bayer 04 is not a ‘pill’ or ‘plastic’ club, but rather, a traditional club that is fully committed to the sport. This commitment might have led to under-governance or made it an exception to the 50+1 rule, according to Carro.
The 50+1 rule has been a topic of discussion and scrutiny recently, especially following the rejection of an investor’s entry into the German Football League. The Federal Cartel Office is currently reviewing this regulation. The German Football League (DFL), after adjusting the rule for exceptional clubs like Hoffenheim, Leverkusen, and Wolfsburg, is now planning to implement more comprehensive conditions in the future.
