Speaking to the German media, the president of the German soccer association – the DFB – said financial problems felt by clubs across Europe were being reflected in the Bundesliga and that it was ‘quite possible’ a club may end up paying the ultimate price.
German soccer clubs found themselves facing unexpected debts following the collapse of the Kirch empire, which held TV rights for the league.
He said: "I don't think solidarity goes that far because the tangle of private interests and the general good of the league tends more towards the individual interests of the clubs."
He also revealed plans by the DFL – the German Football League – to set up a solidarity fund to help those clubs most troubled, but held little optimism for its success.
Earlier in December, it was revealed Infront – the agency born from the ashes of Kirch – may lose a two-year extension to its existing deal with the DFL after the soccer governing body turned down its cash offer saying the price dip was ‘unacceptable’.
However, it is expected the agency and the DFL will come to a new agreement early in the new year at a slightly enhanced price.
According to the DFL, Infront had offered EUR272.5m and EUR277.5 for each of the two extra years. The current deal for this season is worth EUR295m and EUR300m for next season.
A new year but the same old headaches – German soccer chief Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder has warned a Bundesliga club could go out of business as a result of the continued financial pressures impacting on the top clubs.
