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German Football League (DFL) CEO Christian Seifert "urged Bundesliga clubs to increase the level of competition" for "runaway" leader Bayern Munich, according to Mark Lovell of ESPN.com. Bayern "moved a step closer" to its fifth consecutive title over the weekend, increasing its lead at the top to 13 points with a 1-0 win at Borussia Monchengladbach. Seifert said, "It's not up to Bayern to change it. Five teams eye the Premier League trophy every season, three in Italy and two in Spain. However, in Germany, 17 clubs declare that Bayern have no competition. This needs to change at some stage." Seifert talked "openly" about German football's 50+1 ownership model. There has been "controversy this season over promoted Leipzig." Seifert: "The league is stable enough to honestly discuss the pros and cons of the 50+1 rule. But there are important achievements closely associated with 50+1. For example, we definitely have to maintain our socially acceptable ticket prices. Clubs cannot be allowed to become an object of speculation -- the Bundesliga means too much to people for that to happen" (
ESPN.com, 3/20).
