The German Football League (DFL) has decided to abandon a billion-euro plan to bring an investor into the league following several fan protests, DFL CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke says.
The DFL executive committee unanimously decided the deal will not take place in an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday.
"In view of current developments, a successful continuation of the process no longer seems possible. Even though there is a large majority in favour of the necessity of a strategic partnership," Watzke said in a press release.
The DFL planned to boost marketing capabilities in a billion-euro ($1.08 billion) deal over a maximum 20 years with the investor deal, which was approved by the two-thirds majority of the 36 Bundesliga and second division clubs last December.
Fans, however, feel profit will be put before them and tradition, and they have been protesting for weeks by throwing objects onto the pitch, causing long interruptions of Bundesliga and second division games.
