FC Bayern’s dominance in the current season continues to cause discussion – even beyond Germany’s borders. The record champions have not only played the best first half of the season in Bundesliga history, but are also in strong form internationally once again. Critics fear that Munich’s sporting superiority could diminish the excitement in the league and thus also the attractiveness for fans and TV partners
At the request of Sport BILD, the German Football League (DFL) has now taken a detailed position on this issue and made a clear classification. First of all, the DFL emphasizes Munich’s sporting achievements: „FC Bayern has played an outstanding first half of the Bundesliga season, is also once again very successful internationally and is thus once again making an enormous contribution to the positive perception of the quality of German soccer.“
Especially with regard to the international market, the DFL does not see Bayern as a problem, but rather as an important factor. It continues: „With regard to the international marketing of the league, we know from our international partners: an exciting championship battle, top stars with global appeal, strong club brands and international success of clubs and the national team are the key success factors.“
DFL speaks out in favor of salary cap
At the same time, the league points out that the Bundesliga has provided plenty of excitement recently – even beyond FC Bayern. „In the past three seasons, there have been two different German champions in the Bundesliga, a decision on the title in the final quarter of an hour of the last matchday and, as a rule, excitement until the end of the season, including in the battle for the European Cup places and to avoid relegation,“ the DFL continues
Nevertheless, the league association acknowledges that the issue of competitive balance remains a constant. „In the Bundesliga, as in the entire European soccer system, competitive balance remains one of the key issues,“ said the DFL, adding that there are numerous influencing factors, including the different revenues from international competitions
Against this backdrop, the DFL also makes it clear which structural measures it believes would be necessary, concluding: „Against this background, the DFL and German clubs have also spoken out clearly in recent months in favor of an absolute salary cap, which would promote the competitive balance of European soccer as a whole.“