FIRE CONFIRM AFLE COMMITMENT

The Rhein Fire have become the first team to publicly confirm that they will be playing in the all-new American Football League Europe next year.

The announcement comes just days after the AFLE — which is branding itself as ‘The League: Europe’ — broke cover as a rival to the European League of Football, which confirmed that it was on a firmer footing with the re-assimilation of several EFA members involved in a breakaway over the summer.

Not all of the rebels returned to the bosom of the ELF, however, with Rhein amongst the notable dissenters, along with Vienna, Berlin and Wroclaw. The two-time ELF champions clearly believe that there is a future in the new organisation, which claims to have several interested parties that would swell the field to eight teams before its inaugural season kicks off. Optimism is being fuelled by the AFLE’s announcement of backing from an American wealth-managing ‘family office’ that ‘guarantees the financing of league operations for at least five years’ — a level of security not previously seen in European football.

“All involved have created a foundation in record time that we are convinced will lead to a sustainable and high-performing pan-European league,” Fire MD Daniel Thywissen confirmed. “Rhein Fire, arguably the most well-known brand in European football, aims to be a driving force in the new league, not just on the field.”

The announcement, however, comes amid rumours that there remains a group within the Fire that believes rejoining the ELF would have been a better option for 2026 and beyond. This speculation is easily borne out by the revelation last month of factions forming amongst the management.

Original shareholders René Alexander Engel, Martin Wagner, David Wallen, Ottogerd Karasch and Markus Fong issued a lengthy statement in mid-November lamenting that ‘the internal dynamics of the organisation have changed significantly’, moving the Fire away from the ‘values that have been the foundation of the project for us from the very beginning’.

“This development has not only had sporting consequences, but also personnel changes,” an official statement issued by the founders confirmed. “Long-serving and valued employees such as ticketing manager Marc Nantke and, most recently, sporting director Max Paatz have left the organization, [while] head coach Jim Tomsula … decided in May 2025 not to return.”

It was a change of motivation within the wider management group that proved to be the final straw, however, with the statement citing a deviation in ‘internal dynamics’ as the reason to go public with their concerns.

“Our goal from the very beginning was to build an organisation like the one we always wished we had during our own playing days — characterised by professionalism, appreciation, and genuine passion for the sport,” the statement continued. “Our motivation was never financial gain, but rather the promotion of the sport, the development of athletes and the establishment of a professional American football team for the fans in our region. It has always been of utmost importance to us to be reliable and fair partners to our employees, players, coaches, cheerleaders, and service providers.

“However, since October 2024, the majority ownership within the operating company has changed so drastically that the signatories no longer control the project’s content and strategy. Consequently, the personal, including financial, interests of individual shareholders have taken precedence. At the same time, the internal dynamics of the organisation have changed significantly — moving away from the values that have been the foundation of the project for us from the very beginning.”

The rift only added to weeks characterised by uncertainty, intensive work and numerous behind-the-scenes discussions, but Thywissen insists that the focus is now firmly on the future.

“I cannot thank fans, partners and sponsors enough for their patience and trust in our work behind the scenes,” he added. “We will continue to need this trust at all levels as we work towards the first kick-off in 2026.”

According to the team, Rhein expect to play six home games next season, with ticket sales for the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena in Duisburg due to begin early in the New Year.