Germany/DFL: sustainability criteria imposed on clubs for the granting of licenses from 2023-24

"The Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga have become the first major professional football leagues to include a binding sustainability guideline in their licensing regulations," announced the DFL on 30/05/2022. Compliance with three minimum criteria ("club management and organisation", "environment and resources", "stakeholder groups") is thus mandatory in the licensing process for 2023-24.

Notably, clubs will have to demonstrate an environmental sustainability strategy, measure their water, energy and wastewater consumption, analyse mobility and traffic, and produce a code of conduct for their employees to combat discrimination and promote equality, diversity and inclusion. "Expanded criteria are to be introduced in the next few years, with the potential for financial and non-financial incentives being set to encourage compliance," said the German professional league.

"The existing commitment of the clubs, particularly on an individual level, will therefore have a uniform framework for guidance and action in future. Such measures, that have a huge influence on structural, HR and financial…