A prominent figure in German football broadcasting is calling for a significant restructuring of the sport’s governance to better support the women’s game. Lena Cassel, a well-known moderator for DAZN, argues that while progress has been made, the foundational elements of women’s football remain fragile.
Speaking to Zeit Magazine in connection with the upcoming Women’s European Championship in Switzerland, Cassel expressed concern that the current structure, operating under the umbrella of the German Football Association (DFB), is hindering the sport’s true potential. She drew a comparison to the men’s game, where the Deutsche Fußball Liga oversees professional clubs, suggesting a similar independent framework is necessary for women’s football to thrive.
Cassel, who has extensive playing experience herself, from village club level to the regional league, detailed the challenges faced at the grassroots. She highlighted the lack of adequate funding and dedicated personnel for girls’ football and recalled her own experiences training only once a week on an artificial pitch and receiving no financial compensation during her time in the regional league – conditions that, she says, persist in many areas today.
The call for a dedicated women’s football association aims to address these concerns and foster a more robust and sustainable future for the sport in Germany.
