"The delegates at the extraordinary association conference today voted in favor of a fundamental change to the system of cash flows between the association and clubs. This is a forward-looking step that not only takes into account the increasing financial needs of the Berlin Football Association, but also significantly reduces bureaucracy and simplifies payment processes for our member clubs." With these words, BFV President Bernd Schultz addressed the more than 100 participants of the Extraordinary Association Day on November 16, 2024 in the premises of the Evangelical Free Church Schöneberg after the votes had been taken.
Prior to this, the delegates of the Berlin soccer clubs, the extraordinary BFV members entitled to vote and the members of the BFV Executive Committee had approved a comprehensive proposal to reform the existing contribution model by a majority. From July 1, 2025, the new monthly fee "TEAM BERLIN aktiv" will be introduced, which will replace the annual basic fees, team fees and pass fees and will be calculated individually for each club based on the actual number of registered club members. Passive club members are included in the calculation with a significantly lower factor than active club members.
The adopted proposal also provides for adjustments to the fees and penalties in the playing regulations, the registration regulations, the financial regulations, the legal and procedural regulations and the training and development fees. These changes will come into force on January 1, 2025 (all proposals are linked in full at the end of this article). All of the agreed changes have been drawn up and communicated over the past few months by a fee commission made up of a majority of association representatives. The work of this commission will continue beyond the Extraordinary Association Congress 2024 in order to carry out an ongoing review of the BFV's income and expenditure situation and propose further adjustments to the contribution model if necessary.
Adjustments and new payment model also for referee expenses
In addition to the vote on the new BFV contribution model, the voting delegates also passed two further motions by a majority, which provide for adjustments in the area of referee expenses. As of January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026, the expenses and travel allowance for all BFV match officials will be increased in two stages (see motion 2a). In addition, the Extraordinary Association Congress voted in favor of a reform of the payment procedure for referee expenses. From July 1, 2025, payment will be made by the Berlin Football Association and no longer by the clubs as before, which will reduce the bureaucratic burden on the clubs (see motion 2b).
After around two hours, the Extraordinary Association Day 2024 ended with passionate discussions and all motions submitted were ultimately adopted by a majority. Before the official conclusion of the event, however, the BFV President used the opportunity to make an urgent appeal to the assembled members: "In times when conflicts in society as a whole are escalating far too often on and around our sports grounds, it is all the more important that we stand together and take a clear stance: Anti-Semitism and all other forms of discrimination have no place in Berlin amateur soccer. Let's stand up together against exclusion and division!"
The voting results at a glance:
Motion no. 1: Results of the contributions committee - adopted
Motion no. 2a: Adjustment of referee fees - accepted
Motion no. 2b: Payment of referee expenses - accepted