U radu se raspravlja o temi koja je predmet interesa sportske javnosti i pravne struke već dulje od dvadeset godina. Naime, statut Njemačkog nogometnog saveza sadrži pravilo da nogometni klubovi – društva kapitala koji žele sudjelovati u natjecanjima 1. i 2. Njemačke savezne lige (Bundesliga) moraju imati posebnu člansku strukturu. Sportska udruga iz koje je klub nastao uvijek ima većinsko pravo glasa u klubu bez obzira na ostale ulagače. Tako udruga koja je povijesno bila nositelj sportske aktivnosti ima zadnju riječ o svim važnim pitanjima za klub bez obzira na visinu ulaganja sponzora odnosno vanjskih ulagača u taj sportski pothvat. Analizira se pitanje usklađenosti tih autonomnih pravila Njemačkog nogometnog saveza s njemačkim zakonodavstvom, ali i s pravom Unije. U novije vrijeme ponovno se preispituje opravdanost pravila 50+1 s obzirom na izuzetak prema kojem višegodišnji sponzor kluba koji je u klub ulagao znatna sredstva ipak smije steći većinu glasova u klubu (tzv. Lex Leverkusen). Savez je kao tvorac autonomnog pravila predvidio taj izuzetak zbog dva kluba koji su od svog osnutka neprekidno bili usko povezani i izdašno financijski potpomognuti od strane svojih sponzora – društava kapitala. U međuvremenu su sponzori još nekih klubova temeljem Lex Leverkusena stekli pravo stjecanja udjela koji daju većinu glasova na skupštini tih klubova pa bi u budućnosti norma koja je predviđena kao izuzetak mogla postati pravilo. S druge strane, sportska javnost u Njemačkoj ne gleda blagonaklono na slučaj zakonitog „zaobilaženja“ pravila 50+1, kada većinu glasova u klubu ima udruga, ali udruga ima mali broj članova a njezinim autonomnim aktima otežano je stjecanje članstva. Tako ustrojena udruga dostatna je da klub stekne licencu za natjecanje u saveznim ligama. Provjerava se usklađenost autonomnih normi koje uređuju sportsko natjecanje s pojedinim odredbama Ugovora o funkcioniranju Europske unije (UFEU), a posebice s odredbama o pravu poslovnog nastana, o kretanju kapitala te o tržišnom natjecanju. Na kraju se daje ocjena o održivosti ovog osebujnog pravila koje nije na snazi u ostalim najjačim nogometnim ligama. The 50+1 rule of German football, first introduced in 1998, was designed to guarantee the continuation of the fan-based ownership of previous eras, requiring that a minimum of 51 percent of the club must be owned by its members, while still allowing for investment opportunities, nevertheless guaranteeing that the supporters still have a direct say in the matters of management – also, crucially, making sure that a single entity can’t control the whole club. The argument for abolishing this rule is the fact that it is in force in Germany only, so German football clubs cannot compete with other European clubs which have at their disposal significantly higher financial resources. This change could be important because it opens the possibility for German football of attracting more investors. European and international club football has already been commercialized to such an extent that the achievement of top sports results largely depends on investors’ willingness to invest more, so the 50 + 1 rule is an obstacle to the club’s sporting success. On the other hand, if investors are allowed to acquire majority voting rights then the economic goals will take precedence over sporting goals such as the promotion and development of young players. The loss of majority voting rights could have a negative impact on football culture and tradition, since in Germany fans actively participate in the life of clubs and through their membership in sports associations they exercise democratic control over all important club issues. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the participation of fans in decision-making is not an obstacle to clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich to continuously achieve top sports results, so the abolishment of the 50+1 rule is no guarantee for better club results. The example of the English Premier League has shown that due to sharp increase of ticket prices for football matches, football ceases to be fun for local football fans, but becomes part of the touristic offer. The 50 + 1 rule survives primarily because of the special attitude of German football fans towards their clubs. Associations have been the carrier of club sport in Germany for 120 years, and fans are important part of that story.