Proposal thrown out

External investment in German football clubs is to be kept to a minimum after a proposal by Hannover to overturn the so-called '50+1' rule was thrown out on Tuesday.

The German Football League (DFL) met to discuss the proposal to abolish the rule which ensures all German clubs must remain at least 51% in the hands of its own members, and they agreed to keep the status quo.

This rule blocks any external investor from owning over 49% of any club and, therefore, prevents them from becoming majority shareholders.

"The result cannot be any clearer," said DFL president Dr Reinhard Rauball after just one member voted in favour of the abolition with three members abstaining with all 36 first and second division clubs represented at today's meeting in Frankfurt.

"The Bundesliga remains faithful to itself and will continue to build on the factors which have made a decisive contribution to making German football successful over recent decades.

"These are stability, continuity and being close to the fans."

A two-thirds majority would have been required to see the issue debated by the German Football Association (DFB) at their next annual general meeting, but this is no longer on the agenda.

Also not is the issue of introducing a wage limit after Schalke withdrew their proposal to that effect.

While external investment is common in the English Premier League and Italy's Serie A, Rauball insists there is no room for it in the Bundesliga.

"Given how clear the result of the vote is, this decision must now be accepted on the grounds of solidarity," he added.