DEL Wants To Play Mediator In Dispute Between DEB, Rebellious 2nd Bundesliga Clubs

The German Hockey League (DEL) "wants to mediate between the German Hockey Federation (DEB) and its rebellious second-division clubs," according to the SID. DEL Board Chair Jürgen Arnold said, "All parties have to immediately get together. We would offer to play mediator. It can't happen that courts have to get involved. We are talking about sports and not about law." After nine 2nd Bundesliga clubs have purposely missed the DEB's deadline, the federation has started planning the new season completely with a second division. The rebellious clubs "want to join the independent professional league, DEL, as a DEL II, which the DEB categorically refuses." The DEL "supports the clubs." Arnold: "We completely back the concept's content. It is logical, coherent and complies with what the majority of the fans want." The DEB's biggest concern is that the top two leagues "would isolate the third tier Oberliga" (SID, 6/17).