DFB President Rejects Proposed Expansion of 3rd Division

Bernd Neuendorf cites economic and scheduling concerns while leaving room for potential regional league restructuring.

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf has ruled out increasing the 3rd division to 22 teams, citing financial and logistical challenges.
The current promotion system allows only four teams from five regional leagues to advance, prompting calls for reform from 17 clubs in the Regionalliga Nordost.
Neuendorf criticized the public nature of an open letter from the clubs and redirected the matter to regional associations for further discussion.
The clubs are pushing for a reduction from five to four regional leagues, which will be a key topic at the upcoming NOFV reform summit in late March.
ZFC Meuselwitz withdrew support for the reform, fearing it could dismantle the Regionalliga Nordost, but remains open to discussions on geographic adjustments.