Three ideas: How the regional league champions are all promoted

The clubs in the Regionalliga Nordost are leading the way. With three reform proposals, 17 of the 18 clubs want to push for a change to the existing promotion regulations. Under the slogan "Promotion reform 2025 - #meistermüssenaufsteigen#", they want to provide the North-East German Football Association (NOFV) with proposals for action for a motion at the DFB Federal Conference in September. Only Viktoria Berlin abstained from voting.

"We will not let up. We will continue to push the issues. We don't feel that we are being taken seriously, which is why we have joined forces," said Ralph Grillitsch, president of FC Carl Zeiss Jena, at the presentation of the ideas in Chemnitz.

Transitional solution in place unchanged for years

There have been five regional league divisions since 2017. A transitional promotion regulation stipulates that the champions of the associations with the most members, South-West and West, are promoted directly, the other three associations always have a direct promotion in turn and the remaining two associations have to play a relegation play-off.

"We want a fair solution. We have also received broad support from fans and supporters. Something has to change," said Franz Gerber, managing director of FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt.

Proposed solution 1

• The current five regional leagues will be reduced to four - North, East, South, West - and at the same time increased to 20 teams per league. A similar division already existed as a third-tier regional league in the 1990s. Every champion would be promoted and there would be 80 regional league teams in Germany instead of the current 90.

Proposed solution 2

• All five regional league champions play against each other in a play-off round. The four best-placed teams are promoted. The income from television marketing is distributed equally among all regional league teams participating in the play-off round.

Proposed solution 3

• The 3rd Football League is increased to 22 clubs with four relegated teams. There are four regional leagues, each champion is promoted. The second teams of the professional clubs will play in their own U23 league, similar to England, in order to specifically promote young talent and make it easier for talented players from the top clubs to join third or fourth division clubs.

Clubs want to draw attention to the issue with measures

In order to make their voices heard, the clubs are not shying away from taking action. A judicial review of the current solution is the last resort. "We could draw attention to this with campaigns on match days. Among other things, the ball could be suspended for a certain period of time," announced Tommy Haeder, authorized signatory and office manager of Chemnitzer FC.

One thing is certain: a change is needed as soon as possible. "The Regionalliga Nordost is the league with the highest attendance in German soccer and has numerous traditional clubs with a great history. This league deserves direct promotion just as much as any other," said André Beuchold, CEO of FSV Zwickau.

Some clubs from the Regionalliga Bayern and Regionalliga Nord have already been contacted and there is definitely interest. However, the NOFV would have to talk to the associations. It would have to be made clear to the West and Southwest regional leagues that they are not losing anything and should therefore be prepared to make compromises.

NOFV clubs willing to compromise

"We want to tackle the issue together with the NOFV. The association is our service provider. We have also spoken to President Hermann Winkler as the figurehead of the NOFV. Only the NOFV can submit the proposals. There is no opposition, only cooperation. We have given the association food for thought," said Grillitsch.

The north-east regional league clubs are also prepared to compromise. For example, it would be conceivable for clubs from northern Bavaria to play in the NOFV regional league or clubs from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to play in the Regionalliga Nord for regional reasons.

Even the dissolution of the NOFV could be considered. The five state associations would then be responsible for representing the interests of their teams. "But that's a long way off," said Haeder.