German Football news

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Initial decisions sent

Within the licensing process for the 2008/09 season, the management of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH has awarded the licenses to all applicants.

Individual clubs have to meet requirements until June, however, not only concerning economical criteria. The licencing body of the League Association will assess whether these criteria have been met.

Meeting the criteria is a precondition for the grant of a permission to play next season. Additionally a large number of applicants have been told to meet requirements regarding various licensing criteria, and compliance of these has to be proved before the beginning of next season.

The licensing process sees the DFL scrutinise - according to the licensing regulation - the economical performance of all clubs and capital companies as well as infrastructural, media-technological, legal, administrative and sporting criteria.

Overall 57 clubs and capital companies from Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga and both Regional Leagues had made an application for a license. "As a whole we see an enjoyable development and a further professionalisation at the applicants. Especially the positive economical situation of professional football continues. But we are also delighted about considerable improvement regarding the youth academies or the stadia's equipment", said Christian Müller, DFL Chief Financial Officer.

The DFL will control within a licensing inspection in autumn whether the clubs concerned have met their respective requirements.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

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The executive board of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH have today imposed an eight-point deduction (at the end of the season) on 2. Bundesliga side TuS Koblenz.

Additionally a contractual penalty of 200,000 euros was imposed. The sanctioning was made because the club had failed to produce contracts within the scope of competition and of significant relevance for the licensing process for the current season.

"Part of the DFL's job is to assure the foundation for a fair and fascinating competition. That's why, on behalf of the community of the 36 professional clubs, it's unacceptable if this system - rated as exemplary throughout Europe - is reduced to absurdity through deception", DFL Chief Financial Officer Christian Müller declares.

No effect on the license

Müller adds: "By imposing the punishment for the current season, we take into account the principle of having to bear the consequences for breaching regulations in the same season as the breach itself, restoring the integrity of the competion if possible."

The punishment has no effect on the license for the 2008/09 season. The club now has the opportunity to appeal against the DFL's decision. If the DFL would not allow the appeal, the Board of the League Association would be the second resort to deal with the process.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

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Andreas Möller scored 110 goals in 429 Bundesliga games for Frankfurt, Dortmund and Schalke. bundesliga.de talked to the midfield legend.

bundesliga.de: Andreas Möller, which of the current Bundesliga players is your personal favourite?

Andreas Möller: Personally, I'd say it naturally has to be Bayern's Franck Ribéry. It's a real pleasure to watch him play. He isn't just dangerous in front of goal, he's also very effective. He embodies so many aspects of the game. He's cheeky, unbelievably fast and it's always fun to watch that kind of player.

bundesliga.de: What do you like most about the Bundesliga?

Möller: I believe that the attractiveness of the league has risen tremendously. I follow the Bundesliga every weekend, and I must say that the quality has improved. There are so many good players in the league and they don't just play a tactical game. There's more offensive plays and I must say that has really improved the league.

bundesliga.de: How can you summarize your best spell as a player, at Borussia Dortmund? Is that possible?

Möller: To sum it up, I think of Ottmar Hitzfeld, our team spirit and of course the "South Stand�. I think of a lot of great friendships and a wonderful experience.

bundesliga.de: Even today, you're rated das one of the most dangerous midfielders of all time in the Bundesliga. What were your strong points and what made you score so many goals?

Möller: I reckon I was just an old-fashioned midfielder, who didn't have any defensive tasks. I was able to concentrate totally on attack. I enjoyed my freedom and naturally I paid that back with goals, assists and good performances. My half of the pitch was at the front; I felt right at home there.

bundesliga.de: You're a Bundesliga star. How hard was it for you to come to terms with the fact that you had retired and were no longer the centre of media attention as you were used to? Did you miss something after retiring?

Möller: I don't miss active football so much now. Naturally I'm still crazy about the game; I'm still involved in football. Of course, now my job is coach, but I still do follow all the games and I keep in touch with my former colleagues. I have a new life now and I'm happy. I knew my career would end in 2003, and now I'm glad to face new challenges.

bundesliga.de: In which Bundesliga stadium would you most like to go to watch a league game?

Möller: Well, I think I would choose Dortmund's stadium, the Signal Iduna Park. It holds 80,000 fans and I think it's a terrific experience to sit and watch a game there.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

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Good news for the Bundesliga: one additional team will be involved in next season's UEFA Cup competition.


The Bundesliga has won an additional UEFA Cup berth via the fairplay rankings. That was the result of UEFA's draw ahead of the UEFA Cup final between Zenit St. Petersburg and Glasgow Rangers in Manchester.

Team to be announced next week

The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH will announce the team next week, when all matches have entered the valuation.

The fairplay rankings offer a way into European competition for the fairest team of the Bundesliga. Therefore the DFB referee managers register the sporting behaviour of teams and fans, dealing with the opposing team and the behaviour of team officials. There's a maximum score for each match, which is reduced by bookings and sending-offs.

England ahead of Norway

The English Premier League as winners of the European fairplay rankings had already been awarded an additional UEFA Cup berth, and Germany and Denmark have come out of the hat today.

England (8.143) had won the fairplay rankings, which involve international matches of clubs and national teams.

Norway (8.141) had come second ahead of Denmark (8.103), Sweden (8.0076), Finland (8.070), Germany, Spain (both 8.044) and France (8.013).

Who will follow Mainz?

The winners now are allowed to sent their fairest team into the UEFA Cup qualifying round.

1. FSV Mainz 05 (2005) had been the last German team to have the privilege.

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Good news! Now lets get the 4th team for Champions League.