DBU defends licence system after youth teams denied promotion

Danish youth football coaches have questioned how to explain to their players why teams with worse on-field results are promoted above them, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

In Allerød and Vallensbæk, under-14 sides won their leagues but will not move up, as non-licensed clubs are barred from the top youth divisions. The Danish Football Association (DBU) runs a licence scheme that prioritises clubs meeting off-field criteria—such as employing a talent director, a physiotherapist, or providing gym facilities—over pure sporting merit.

Vallensbæk IF’s U14 team celebrated league victory in June, only to learn that lower-placed licensed clubs will leapfrog them after the summer break. Players and coaches told DR the system is unfair.

DBU’s 145-page licence manual sets out seven main areas clubs are assessed on. Currently 44 clubs hold licences, with FC Nordsjælland, F.C. Copenhagen and FC Midtjylland at the top of the ranking and Hillerød Fodbold, Dalum IF and Ballerup-Skovlunde Fodbold at the bottom.