"Eastern Alliances' Advocacy for Ascent Reform in 2025 Gains Momentum" or "Upward Change in 2025: Momentum Builds for Eastern Unions' Initiative"
Stymied Success: The Frustrating Saga of 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig's Promotion Woes
For supporters of 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig, it seems their club is under a footballing hex. Having clinched the Regionalliga Nordost title in a commanding manner in 2020 and 2021, they were denied promotion on both occasions. Last Sunday saw another heartbreaking setback against TSV Havelse, with a 3:0 loss in the second leg following a 1:1 draw in the first.
The root of their dismay? The promotion regulation: Despite being the champions of a division covering six federal states, they remain in the fourth division, with only one of the three champions of the Regionalliga Nordost, Nord, and Bayern granted direct promotion each year, while the other two play for the fourth place in the promotion play-offs.
This absurd rule was decried by sports director Chris Löwe of league rival Chemnitzer FC: "Lok played an outstanding season and had to play these two extra games. They decided whether the club returns to professional football or not."
The drive for Promotion Reform 2025, initiated by 17 East German clubs back in February, is gaining steam at Chemnitzer FC. 16 of the 18 Regionalliga clubs from the East are on board, seeking change to this system. "In the next few weeks, it’s about filtering out the common interests of the Regionalligen to speak with one voice," explained Tommy Haeder, managing director of Saxon fourth-division club. "However, it will not be possible without the mediation of the DFB and the state associations."
Haeder shared the sentiment that a complete structural reform in the Regionalligen is needed: "Champions must promote" is the rallying cry for this movement. Yet, all regional leagues must also recognize that demands alone are insufficient and make necessary changes within their own ranks.
The pressure is growing on the DFB to act. Managing directors like Florian Egbers from Meppen and Dieter Gudel from Lübeck are urging clubs to join forces for reform, fearing a bidding war and financial risks if affected Regionalliga clubs are forced to fight over a fixed promotion place.
However, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf has dismissed potential solutions, ruling out increasing the number of teams or compensating by having five teams instead of the current four relegated from the third league. The role of reserve teams in this scenario is also unaddressed.
With the current third league champion's low attendance numbers, some believe that reforms are long overdue. The DFB has tasked the initiative with approaching regional and state associations to build majorities for a reform affecting both the fourth and third leagues at the DFB Bundestag in November.
The supporters of 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig can only hope that their prolonged struggle to climb the ranks will ultimately lead to a much-needed change in the promotion rules and grant them the long-awaited chance to return to professional football.
The supporters of 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig have been dealing with frustration due to this club's repeated denial of promotion, despite securing the Regionalliga Nordost title in 2020 and 2021. The promotion regulation, which only allows one of the three champions from the Regionalliga Nordost, Nord, and Bayern to gain direct promotion, has been under scrutiny. East German clubs, including 16 out of 18 Regionalliga clubs from the East, are pushing for Promotion Reform 2025, aiming to change this system that prevents champions from promoting. The drive for reform is gaining momentum, with the DFB, football's governing body in Germany, under pressure to address the issue.
