2014/15 licensing process: DFL reaches initial decision
Frankfurt - The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH have reached a preliminary decision regarding the licensing of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs for the upcoming 2014/15 season.
Final decision on 7 May
In total, 49 clubs and companies have applied for the 36 available licenses in Germany’s top two divisions. None of the applications received have been rejected.
In order to be allowed to participate, applicants have to meet a range of criteria by the end of May. The clubs in question initially have until 29 April to appeal against a preliminary decision. The final pronouncement is due to be made by the DFL on 7 May, with clubs allowed to lodge a second appeal within five days. Judgement in relation to the second appeal will be made on 15 May, before the final verdict, regarding whether the criteria have been met, will then be made by the licensing committee on 28 May, before the licenses are distributed.
Aside from the clubs’ financial competence, the DFL also examines a whole range of other criteria listed in the licensing regulations, including infrastructural, legal, staffing, media-technical, security and sporting criteria, in order to ensure an honest and fair competition. The DFL also reserve the right to impose other criteria and/or conditions. A club is only awarded a license if the criteria have been met by a set deadline before the beginning of the season. Furthermore, upon receiving the license, it will also be established which conditions must be maintained throughout the campaign having obtained the right to compete.
Group accounts
“For the 2014/15 season, the licensing of clubs with a collaborative infrastructure will be made on the basis of the collective accounts. As a result, subsidiaries such as stadium companies will be included in the assessment,” said the DFL’s Director of Licensing, Werner Möglich. Prior to a decision made by a meeting of the German Football League in 2013, decisions regarding the licensing of clubs were made on the basis of separate financial statements.
