DFB President Bernd Neuendorf has ruled out an increase in the 3rd Football League with 22 teams and five promoted and five relegated teams, according to a media report. For the 63-year-old, this reform would result in economic disadvantages for the third-division clubs and an almost impossible-to-implement schedule, as reported by "Sport im Osten" from Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR). The top official of the German Football Association reportedly left open the possibility of reducing the current five regional league divisions.
Currently, only the regional league champions of the south-west and west divisions are promoted directly to the 3rd division, as well as one title holder from the Bavarian, north and north-east associations on a rotation basis. The other two champions will play out the fourth promoted team in a first and second leg.
