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Agence France-Presse

The German fan alliance Unsere Kurve will recognise Bayer Leverkusen’s achievement to end Bayern Munich’s reign if they claim the Bundesliga title this season, but stressed it will leave a “bitter taste”.
“Bayer Leverkusen have had a marvellous season. It’s right to recognise this achievement,” the alliance said when asked about their views on the potential title for Leverkusen.
The team led by Xabi Alonso can claim the league title at the weekend, putting an end to Bayern’s run of 11 consecutive wins.
Unsere Kurve, however, said that neutral fans would be left with a “bitter taste” because of the “corresponding financial conditions, which are structurally different in Leverkusen due to the 50+1 exemption”.

Germany’s 50+1 rule means that clubs cannot be majority owned by one investor, but Leverkusen (owned by Bayer Pharmaceuticals) and VfL Wolfsburg (owned by Volkswagen) have exemptions from the rule, while RB Leipzig say they are not directly owned by Red Bull.
Unsere Kurve demanded the exemptions to be abolished. The large gap between Leverkusen and second-placed Bayern and third-placed VfB Stuttgart was also criticised.
“The gap of 16 points to the second and third-placed teams with six matches left to the end of the season, 23 points to the fourth and fifth-placed teams (Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund) and even 34 points to the sixth-placed team (Eintracht Frankfurt) show how extreme the performance gap has become,” it said.
“The table will once again be a reflection of how broken the competition in the Bundesliga has become. The distribution of broadcasting income must be organised in a competitive manner.”
Meanwhile, Dortmund top scorer Donyell Malen will miss the first leg of their Champions League quarter-finals tie against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

The forward was not with the squad that departed to Madrid on Tuesday morning.
The Dutch international, who has scored 11 Bundesliga goals this season, as many as centre-forward Niclas Fuellkrug, missed Dortmund’s past two fixtures against Bayern and Stuttgart after picking up a thigh injury while on international duty, and has yet to recover from a separate illness.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough (time) and he’s still a bit infectious. It’s a shame. Apart from him, everyone else is available,” said Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl on Tuesday before the team boarded their flight to Madrid.
Dortmund are aiming to reach the Champions League semi-final for the first time since the 2012-2013 season, when they also reached the final and were defeated by Bayern.
“We’re looking forward to this task,” Kehl said.


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German Bundesliga

Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga title win would be a ‘marvellous’ feat that leaves a ‘bitter taste’, says German fan alliance

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Dortmund striker Donyell Malen (right) will miss the match against Atletico Madrid. Photo: Xinhua

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Sport

Football

The club’s exemptions from German club ownership rules has produced a ‘performance gap’, says Unsere Kurve
Xabi Alonso’s team, which leads by 16 points, can claim the title this weekend, ending Bayern Munich’s run of 11 consecutive wins


Xabi Alonso’s team, which can win the title this weekend, are exempted from German club ownership rules, producing a ‘performance gap’.
