Regional league protest: fans and clubs demand fair kick-off times!

Regional league protest: fans and clubs demand fair kick-off times!

Things are simmering in football! A group of twelve clubs from the Regionalliga Nordost have made serious allegations against the Northeast German Football Association (NOFV). In a current position paper, the clubs, including traditional clubs such as Chemnitzer FC, FSV Zwickau and Hallescher FC, denounce the poor handling of game scheduling. The criticism is mainly aimed at the increasing influence of TV partners, which makes it more difficult for clubs to schedule their games at sensible times. According to the clubs, matches are often organized at incomprehensible times, ignoring the needs of fans and clubs, such as tag24.de reported.

The clubs are calling for a fundamental change: kick-off times for weekend games should be set at 2 p.m., while during the week starting before 7 p.m. should be excluded. These demands could not only increase spectator numbers, but also improve the participation of officials and players in the games. A 200 km rule for clubs' journeys is also required to ensure that the distances between games are reasonable for everyone involved.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025: A new chapter for German clubs

Meanwhile, all eyes are on the coming international challenges. FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will take part in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will be played in a new format. The groups have already been drawn and the schedule promises exciting encounters. Bayern Munich face Auckland City and Boca Juniors in Group C, while Dortmund face Fluminense and Mamelodi Sundowns in Group F. The games are scheduled for June 2025, with the final taking place on July 13th. With the new structure, which consists of group and knockout rounds, the German clubs have the opportunity to prove themselves on an international stage bundesliga.com shows.